Beric, a boy-chief of a British tribe, plays a prominent part in the insurrection under Queen Boadicea against the invading Roman legionnaires. He is ultimately captured and taken to Rome, where he is trained as a gladiator. After saving a Christian maid by slaying a lion in the arena, he is rewarded by being made librarian of the palace as well as the personal protector of Nero. Finally, he escapes, organizes a band of outlaws in Calabria, defies the power of Rome, and at length returns to Britain, where he becomes a wise ruler of his own people.