Judaea in approximately AD30 is presided over by the Roman Procurator,
Pontius Pilate. Pilate is a ruthless man who enjoys the intricate and
violent power games required to keep control over the rebellious Jews.
Others are eager to claim the title 'King of the Jews' and so Pilate
uses a Jewish spy, Judas Iscariot, to infiltrate his real and imagined
enemies But now Judas has seemingly commited suicide. Pilate is
unconvinced and summons to Jerusalem the centurion Cornelius to
investigate. To ensure the Procurator's involvement remains secret, the
investigation is carried out under cover of retrieving a missing slave
girl, Ruth, who had been in Judas' possession. As Cornelius uncovers
Judas' intricate involvement with the political and religious leaders of
the region, he meets the beautiful Jewess, Mary, and her charismatic
teacher, Jesus of Nazareth.