In the Name of Ben Hur Page #2

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Almighty Lord...

I know I have not always followed

the path of righteousness.

I have sinned.

But you have always shown me the way.

Now I ask for your guidance once again.

Since I finished my work at Calixto...

I have been listening for signs

as to what to do.

- What is your name?

- Melina.

Load 'em up.

Right. Open the cart.

That's it. That's enough.

It's a fair week's ride to Rome.

We won't have enough rations for any more.

So that's your lot then.

Quick! Split up!

Well, that went rather well.

I feel your gift will be

rather well received, sir.

I have a question for you, Cyprian.

How come those young men who tried

to interfere knew of our operation?

I just suspected they were

from the refugee camp.

Were they?

I got the distinct impression they were

trying to sabotage our operation.

These people are merely trying

to protect their loved ones.

Because if there were some kind

of organized rebellion in this area,

I'd want to know about it.

I find that highly unlikely, sir,

but I will keep an ear to the ground.

You do that.

- The Romans, they took...

- I know. I've been to the camp.

I want to go with you.

If you're willing to die, then get in.

- What weapons do you have?

- I have my knife.

Keep it as last resort. If they

capture you, you can kill yourself.

What?

- Can't afford to kill the Romans.

- Have you seen what they've been doing?

You kill one, and you have

the entire legion hunting you down.

Wound them, take their honor,

then you might live.

Stop the cart.

Agree with me on this.

Or I'll throw you from this chariot.

- You're insane.

- I've never claimed otherwise.

So that's your sell-sword.

He's worth far more than we could pay him.

It's all clear.

Come on.

All right. Go on.

This place isn't safe for you anymore.

Do you have anywhere else to go?

Yes.

Pack up your things and leave

before the Romans return.

All of you should leave this place soon.

The Romans will be coming after us.

It's just a matter of time.

And where would we go? This is our home.

I was born on this land.

We are from here, and they are not.

- We shall not leave.

- It would be better to stop fighting.

As sure as the sun rises,

you will die if you continue this fight.

That may be,

but I will still get my revenge.

You have spirit, but you are

no match for Roman soldiers.

They will send out a force to

seek revenge for this incident.

Believe me, they will get it.

I don't care if I die.

I will never stop fighting.

Adrian.

The warmer humors rule him.

It has always been so.

Yet we owe him so much.

We are all free men, but in status,

we are but a little higher than a slave.

Adrian gathered us together.

He inspired us with an idea that one

day the Romans would no longer rule.

And that's something coming

from someone who overcame so much.

What do you mean?

Adrian's an orphan.

His father died when he was young.

He was brought up by only his mother.

She had Adrian and a little girl, Lucia.

Then, one day, when the Romans

came to the village,

they wanted to claim

his mother as their prize.

When she refused...

they got mad

and beat her to the point of death.

Adrian was just a boy.

Since then, he has brought up

his sister all alone.

That's why Adrian hates the Romans and

anyone who takes advantage of the people.

Where does Adrian live?

Leave her alone!

- She's got nothing to do with this!

- Maybe so.

Let her go,

and I'll come with you willingly.

You're coming with us.

And so is she.

She'll be heading for Nero's palace...

thanks to you.

Legionnaire!

You are a disgrace!

Lower your sword,

and return to your barracks.

Return to our barracks?

Right.

I spent three years in the galleys

and six more in the arena.

I have killed men in ways

you couldn't imagine.

Now, if you do not lower your sword

and leave, I will maim you...

and then I will hunt down your family

and kill them while they sleep.

When I have done that,

I will come back and finish your life.

So choose your next move carefully.

Who are you?

To you, I am no one.

It is best you forget all you know of me

and forget about this place after today.

I had the matter in hand.

- So I could see.

- Thank you.

You may have noticed my brother

is as modest as he is wise.

He does have a certain boldness about him.

My name is Lucia Bardilo.

I am Judah Ben-Hur.

Are you the Ben-Hur who built

the Calixto catacombs of Rome?

Our mother spoke of visiting there.

You are Judah Ben-Hur?

How did this happen,

your arrival in Lusitania?

By luck and divine providence.

Before my wealth was extinguished,

we were able to complete the catacombs.

For that, I am grateful.

But then, a great plague of typhus

spread from the Tiber.

It claimed many...

my wife and children among them.

When I had laid them to rest,

I took my horses and traveled

the roads of the Empire...

eventually ending up here.

No one to trouble me, I thought I'd end

my days in peace and solitude here.

Then I'm sorry for dragging you

into all of this.

It was my decision to become involved.

I don't know what to say.

Thank you.

Do not thank me. Thank your friend Caius.

He's the one that told me where you lived.

I did not come here

to rescue you from Romans.

I have reconsidered your offer

to train you and your brothers.

- But there are conditions.

- Of course.

Are you willing to do anything

to stop the Romans?

Yes.

To die?

Yes.

Then I will train you both.

For once we start down this road,

there is no coming back.

So you both must be self-sufficient.

If you agree to that,

then we can continue.

Go and pack your things.

I read how Caesar was repelled

from Britannia by warriors on chariots.

Yes, a lost art.

Chariots are still common in the arena,

but on the battlefield,

cavalry is now king.

I read how the warriors,

they rode their chariots two up,

one the driver,

the other free to bear arms,

even leaping from the chariot

to attack on foot

and then running back to the safety of the

chariot before his offender could attack.

She reads a lot.

Could you teach me to ride the chariot?

I can ride a horse.

Before our mother passed,

we had many horses.

- She's a good rider.

- I can use a bow and a sling, too.

Yep. Many a grouse and squirrel

have fallen from her arrows.

There is a difference between using

your bow to hunt and using it in combat.

Do you think you could raise

your bow against another person?

If it were a Roman, gladly.

Today, you will find you have

the same resources available

as any combatant you will encounter.

You have two arms, two legs

and a head to control them.

If you are successful,

you will retain those attributes,

although your opponents will dearly

like to deprive you of them.

Adrian, step forward.

Engage me.

Your objective is not

to react to your opponent.

Your goal is to anticipate the move.

Good.

If you are using a sword

or other bladed weapon...

there are a finite number of motions

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