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Ben-Hur
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Ramon Novarro (right) as Ben-Hur, with Francis X. Bushman as Messala, in the chariot race sequence from the 1925 film adaptation of the book, titled Ben-Hur: A Film of the Christ.
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Ramon Novarro (right) as Ben-Hur, with Francis X. Bushman as Messala, in the chariot race sequence from the 1925 film adaptation of the book, titled Ben-Hur: A Film of the Christ.
Ramon Novarro (right) as Ben-Hur, with Francis X. Bushman as Messala, in the chariot race sequence from the 1925 film adaptation of the book, titled Ben-Hur: A Film of the Christ.

Ben-Hur

historical novel by Wallace
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

Ben-Hur, historical novel by Lewis Wallace, published in 1880 and widely translated. It depicts the oppressive Roman occupation of ancient Palestine and the origins of Christianity. The Jew Judah Ben-Hur is wrongly accused by his former friend, the Roman Messala, of attempting to kill a Roman official. He is sent to be a slave, and his mother and sister are imprisoned. Years later he returns, wins a chariot race against Messala, and is reunited with...

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