General Maximus is commander of Rome's finest legions. He has known violence his entire life. When he and his best friend, Androcles, return from a long, bloody campaign, Maximus finds himself questioning his life. Word has reached Rome of a man named Jesus who is causing a stir in faraway Judea. Maximus and Androcles are sent to ascertain the truth of the situation. Disguised as a Jew, Maximus slowly begins to understand the true teachings of Jesus in this epic story of one man's faith-building journey to find the purpose of life.