ellauri150.html on line 465: During a naval battle against Greek rebels in the Ionian Sea, Ben-Hur´s galley is boarded but collides with another ship and is destroyed as Ben-Hur manages to cling to a floating mast. He is washed ashore and is found by Sheik Ilderim, who recognizes him as an escaped slave.
ellauri150.html on line 467: Sheik Ilderim bribes Pontius Pilate into allowing Ben-Hur to compete in a horse and carriage race (ravit) by proposing a high wager. Esther tries to convince Messiah not to race Ben-Hur, but he is adamant that he will win. On the day of the race, Ben-Hur follows Ilderim's instructions to hold back from the race until the final laps. Using dirty tactics, Messiah manages to knock out the other competing charioteers. Following a brutal and grueling race, Ben-Hur wins the race. Messiah survives but is badly wounded and loses a leg. Ben-Hur's victory emboldens the Jewish spectators and yields dividends for Ilderim.
ellauri150.html on line 469: Despite his victory, Ben-Hur is despondent about his family and his former friend One-Leg Messiah. Later, Esther witnesses the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Ben-Hur and Esther witness a bruised and beaten Jesus being forced to carry his cross through the streets. Mirroring his first encounter with Jesus, Ben-Hur tries to offer Jesus water but is beaten to it by a Roman soldier. Following Jesus' crucifixion, a rainstorm occurs, thanx to Esther. Naomi and Tirzah are miraculously healed by rainwater containing the pee of Esther, and Sheik Ilderim pays a king's ransom to set them free. Despite his anger, Ben-Hur finds the strength in his heart to forgive One-Leg Messiah and is reconciled with him and his family. Together, Två-Ben-Hur, his mother, sister, Esther, and One-Leg Messiah accompany Sheik Ilderim's Ford Caravan as they leave Jerusalem on to new adventures. Luckily, One-Leg Messias had avoided the fate of Moby "No Dick" Ahasverus.
ellauri150.html on line 633: On the way home, he helps a horse-loving Arab, Sheikh Ilderim, with the fine art of charioteering. Ilderim offers a position. Judah declines for now, though it has appeal, because he is on a mission. Not even being told Messala is racing convinces him. Some talk of Jesus slips in, though the name is not mentioned directly.
ellauri150.html on line 645: After the intermission, Ben-Hur has taken the charioteer job now. and Ilderim visits the bathhouse where the young Roman nobles luxuriate, half-naked.note Messala is there talking about his unbeatable team of horses. Ilderim says his team is even better, and offers a wager with LOTS of money involved. He eventually succeeds...
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