Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is a novel by Lew Wallace published on November 12 , 1880 by Harper & Brothers. Wallace's work is part of an important sub-genre of historical fiction set among the characters of the New Testament. The novel was a phenomenal best-seller; it surpassed Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) as the best-selling American novel and retained this distinction until the 1936 publication of Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind ; Ben-Hur surpassed Gone with the Wind in sales following the 1959 release of the MGM film. In 1912, Sears Roebuck published one million copies to sell for 39 cents apiece: the largest single-year print edition in American history. The book was also the first work of fiction to be blessed by a Pope.
Background
Lew Wallace said that he wrote Ben-Hur as a way to sort out his own beliefs about God and Christ. In doing so he inspired many readers by combining romanticism and spiritual piety common in sentimental novels of the 19th century with the action and adventure found in the more vulgar stories of the day. It prompted many clergy to reverse their church's long-held opposition to novels and actually encourage their congregations to read Ben-Hur , as a result helping it to become one of the best selling novels of its time. It not only helped wipe away any lingering American resistance to the novel, it was instrumental in introducing many Christian audiences to theater and film.
Ben-Hur has been very popular, often appearing on lists of great American literature, which has been a source of frustration for many literary critics over the years. Critics point to problems such as flat characters and dialogue, unlikely coincidences that drive the plot and tedious and lengthy descriptions of settings. But other critics say it is highly entertaining and engrossing with a well structured plot and exciting story.
The novel was quickly adapted into numerous stage productions, including one which recreated the climactic chariot race on stage using live horses, full size chariots, and a series of treadmills. With the subsequent development of the cinema, the novel was also adapted into motion pictures in 1907, 1925, 1959, and 2003.
Ben-Hur was inspired in part by Wallace's love of the story The Count of Monte Cristo (1846) by Alexandre Dumas, père, which was based on the true memoirs of a French shoemaker in the early 19th century who had been unjustly imprisoned, and who then spent the rest of his life seeking revenge. In his autobiography Wallace said that while he was writing Ben-Hur "at my rough pine-table, the Count of Monte Cristo in his dungeon of stone was not more lost to the world."
The plot revolves around two storylines: the story of Jesus and the story of Judah Ben-Hur. Wallace had an outline for the novel as early as 1873, but it was during a chance meeting on a train with fellow Civil War Union veteran and agnostic lecturer, Robert G. Ingersoll, that he was challenged to think about his beliefs. Wallace noted that he knew little about Jesus and subsequently began to research the historical setting for the Messianic events. He wrote parts of the book in Indianapolis, and the remainder in the New Mexico Territory, while serving as territorial governor. His room in the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe is still described as the birthplace of Ben-Hur. Wallace stated in his memoirs that he wrote the climactic scenes of the Crucifixion in that room by lantern light, after returning from a dramatic encounter of his own with William Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid.
Plot summary
The central character is Judah, prince of the Hebrew house of Hur. Judah grows up in Jerusalem, during the turbulent years around the birth of Christ. His best friend is Messala, a Roman. As adults Judah and Messala become rivals, each hating the other, which leads to Judah's downfall and eventual triumph. Elements of the story include leprosy, naval battles among galleys, the Roman hippodrome, Roman adoption, Magus Balthasar, the Arab sheikh Ilderim.
Part One
Biblical references: Matt. 2:1-12, Luke 2:1-20
The first part describes the Nativity events, with a special focus on the Magi from the east. In the opening scene, Balthasar, an Egyptian, is riding a camel. The camel stops at a certain spot in the desert, where he sets up a tent. Two other men arrive at the same spot within hours. One is Melchior, a Hindu, and the other is Gaspar, a Greek from Athens.
The three men each tell their stories. They realize they have been brought together by their common goal of seeking redemption from the world's problems. They are promised they would see God's Christ, the agent of redemption, after much prayer.
That night, as they prepare for the journey to come, a bright star shines over the region, and they take it as a sign that they are to leave. They follow the star, and head on through the desert towards the province of Judaea.
The scene changes to the Joppa Gate in Jerusalem. Here, Mary and Joseph are travelling through on their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem in connection with a Roman census. They stop at the inn at the entrance to the city, where the Shaikh informs them that there is no vacancy in the inn due to the influx of people caused by the census.
Mary, who is pregnant, begins experiencing labour pains. Advised by the Sheik, they head to a cave on the hillside behind the inn, where mangers are kept for the animals. One particular cave has great historical significance, for King David himself had lived there at certain points of his life. In here Mary and Joseph, along with a few of their friends, stay, and Jesus is born.
In the pasturelands outside the city, a group of seven shepherds are keeping watch over their flocks. Angels from heaven announce the Christ's birth. The shepherds hurry towards the city. They are rebuked by one of the men supervising the khan, but nevertheless, inspired by the angel's message, they enter the caves on the hillside and worship Christ. They spread the news of the Christ's birth around, and many come to see him.
The Magi arrive in Jerusalem, and inquire for news of the Christ. Herod the Great is flabbergasted to hear of another king to challenge his rule, and asks the Sanhedrin to find information for him. The Sanhedrin brings out a prophecy written by Micah, telling of a ruler to come from Bethlehem Ephrathah, interpreting it to signify the Christ's birthplace. The Magi then head to Bethlehem, and following the star's direction, head right to the khan, and find the Christ they had sought for so long.
It is revealed later in the work that the Magi were told by the Holy Spirit not to return to Herod but to go to a certain Arab trader named Sheik Ilderim.
Part Two
Biblical references: Luke 2:51-52
The book now turns away from the Messianic events temporarily, steering the reader for the first time to the title character, a prince of seventeen descended from the royal family of Judaea. Valerius Gratus was about to become the fourth Roman prefect of Judaea, and Messala, the son of a Roman tax-collector, had just returned from five years of education in the imperial capital.
Messala had been a childhood friend of Judah Ben-Hur, but now, after all the years of indoctrination from Roman officials, he had returned as a bitter relation. He mocked Judah for not giving up Judaism for the Roman religion, which would have made him more acceptable to Rome, and continually stated his belief that war and military activity had become the new fashion, almost as if it were a religion. Even romance seemed inconsequential compared to this passion for conquest.
Judah is aghast to hear the mockery of his religion, and he becomes Messala's enemy. He goes home sad, but picks up Messala's advice, and decides to go to Rome for military training, but use it against the Roman Empire. After his mother allows his journey, he immediately decides to set off.
The next day, Gratus is inaugurated, but Judah, by accident, pressed so hard on a tile on his roof that it fell down and injured the governor as he was passing by. Messala betrays him to arrest, and he is forced, without a trial or any other legal proceeding, to become a slave aboard a Roman warship. Judah's family is led away to life imprisonment in the Antonia Fortress. The palace is seized and becomes government property.
Judah vows vengeance against the Romans. He is then pulled aboard a caravan towards the sea when he meets Jesus along the way in Nazareth. He is offered a drink by him, before continuing on his way. He, too, is moved by his nature and keeps him in his mind.
Part Three
The attention now turns to a scene in Italy. Greek pirate-ships had tried to loot many Roman vessels in the Aegean Sea, and Sejanus had ordered that Quintus Arrius take warships out to combat the Greeks.
Judah Ben-Hur is aboard one of the vessels, having been condemned to a life rowing war-ships. Unlike many others, who often died soon into their job, he had survived three rough years, mostly because of his strong passion and his will to revolt against Rome.
Arrius asks the hortator to permit a private audience for the boy before him, and has his request granted. Ben-Hur appeared on deck and talks about his life. Arrius is now very interested in the life of the youth, and he eventually starts admiring him for his qualities and despising those that had punished him fo
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