The Robe

While Marcellus is escorting Demetrius, he helps recapture him from those transporting him to the auction. At the slave auction site, he outbids Caligula for Demetrius, winning his loyalty. Demetrius becomes Marcellus' personal servant as a result.

Marcellus is reunited with Diana, his childhood love, who is now a ward of Emperor Tiberius. Diana is pledged in marriage to the regent Caligula, yet she and Marcellus reaffirm their childhood promise. Their bond deepens even as political rivalries loom.

That evening, Caligula orchestrates Marcellus' transfer to the distant city of Jerusalem. Marcellus travels with Demetrius and the centurion Paulus, heading into uncertain loyalties and dangerous responsibilities. The journey sets the stage for Rome's clash with the early Christians.

Accompanied by Demetrius and Paulus, Marcellus arrives in Jerusalem on the same day Jesus is hailed as the Messiah. The city's mood shifts as a new religious movement rises alongside Roman rule. Demetrius feels drawn toward Jesus at this moment.

Demetrius is compelled to follow Jesus and later attempts to warn him of a plot against him. A distraught man informs them that Jesus has already been arrested, deepening Marcellus' crisis. The new alliance between Rome's soldiers and Jesus' movement begins to collide.

Pontius Pilate recalls Marcellus by order of Tiberius and assigns him one last task: oversee the execution of three criminals, including Jesus. Marcellus travels to Calvary to supervise the grim proceedings, the weight of history bearing down on him. This assignment triggers a profound moral crisis in him.

In a dice game on Calvary, Marcellus wins Jesus' robe from Paulus and uses it to shield himself from the rain. He immediately experiences a sudden, piercing pain as if the robe carries a curse. Demetrius denounces him and the Roman Empire and escapes, leaving Marcellus haunted by nightmares of the crucifixion.

The emperor's soothsayer declares the robe cursed, prompting Tiberius to assign Marcellus a mission to locate and destroy the garment and identify Jesus' followers. At the same time, Diana asks to be free to marry Marcellus once he completes the task. The political intrigue deepens around their romance.

Marcellus journeys to Cana, where inhabitants remember Jesus' miracles and still believe he rose from the dead. He learns from Justus that Demetrius is in town and confronts him at a local inn. Demetrius says the robe has no real power and that Marcellus' guilt over Jesus' death is the true illness.

Pilate orders the arrest of all Christian fanatics, and Paulus leads a raid into Cana. Justus is killed by a surprise arrow, and Marcellus stops the assault from escalating. Paulus then informs him that Caligula has succeeded Tiberius, making Marcellus' commission invalid.

Peter invites Marcellus to join his group of missionaries when they come to Rome, and Marcellus publicly confesses his role in Jesus' death. He pledges his life to Jesus, signaling his full transformation from Roman soldier to Christian ally.

Demetrius is captured and tortured as Peter's missionaries move through Rome. Caligula asks Diana if she has heard from Marcellus and learns of his involvement with the Christians. The Imperial court's curiosity and danger intensify around the Gallio family and their slave.

Marcipor, the Gallios' slave who is secretly Christian, reveals Marcellus' hiding place to Diana. Marcellus leads a raid to rescue Demetrius at Senator Gallio's house, where Peter miraculously heals Demetrius' wounds. The pursuit forces their escape and tightens the Christian alliance.

As Caligula's horsemen close in, Marcellus sacrifices himself to let Demetrius escape. He is brought to trial and admits he follows Jesus, but refuses to renounce his faith. Diana stands with him as Caligula condemns the couple to die together.

In the courtroom's wake, Diana passes Jesus' robe to Marcipor with instructions to deliver it to Peter. Marcellus and Diana are led away to begin eternal life in the kingdom of their true king. The robe becomes a symbol of their faith and enduring love beyond Rome.