Marcus welcomes Pilate, and they dine with the prefect, who has learned where the slaves are hiding. Flavius warns the runaways, and they learn he is the son of the cruel Marcus, who would make them fight in the arena. Burbix tells Marcus the runaways were captured, and Leaster tells him Flavius is with them. Marcus fails to get Flavius released, as the prefect starts the games. During the arena fighting Mount Vesuvius erupts, and people panic.
Earthquakes cause destruction.
Marcus rescues the son of the warder who would not release Flavius. Marcus throws away his money to help the wounded. Lava drives people into the sea. Marcus lets Flavius and his friends escape on a boat while he holds back the prefect's soldiers and is killed. Marcus then sees Jesus.