Accused of the attempted murder of the procurator of Judea, young Ben-Hur is robbed of his family, freedom, and fortune. Condemned to serve as a galley slave, the heir to a prince of Jerusalem vows to avenge himself against the boyhood friend who betrayed him and to reunite with his beloved mother and sister. Intermingled with his earthly struggle is the story of the son of a carpenter who will change Ben-Hur and the world forever.
From a thrilling sea battle to the famous chariot race, from one man's triumph to the agony of the Crucifixion, this epic narrative vividly re-creates the grand sweep of the Roman Empire and the divine sacrifice that led to the origins of Christianity.
Written by the territorial governor of New Mexico, 'Ben-Hur' sold more than two million copies upon its release in 1880, and it continues to be an enduring classic.