National Heroes and Achievers

Apollos, the son of a wealthy Alexandrian merchant, has a great desire to travel. In particular, he wishes to visit Greece, the source of his Greek cultural heritage. Apollos’ travelling companion is to be Jerahmeel, his highly respected and resourceful Jewish tutor. The influence of Jerahrneel had been largely responsible for Apollos himself becoming a proselyte Jew.

Apollos is in love with Demeter, the beautiful but vain daughter of a neighbouring Greek family, but Demeter becomes betrothed to Claurinius, the dashing young Roman prefect of Alexandria. On the night of Demeter’s betrothal, Apollos makes love to Demeter’s elder sister, Diana, purely out of frustration and lust. Although more attractive than her sister in all the ways that really matter, Apollos is blind to Diana’s beauty.

Apollos and Jerahmeel start on a journey to Greece following a route which brings them within the scope of Christian influences. Jerahmeel converts to Christianity, but even the powerful witness of the strong church at Antioch is insufficient to convince Apollos that Jesus died to pay the price for his sins.

Meanwhile, in Alexandria, Diana discovers that she is pregnant. However, it is impossible to communicate this news to. Apollos while he is on this tour which could last for up to two years. Diana feels a social outcast, but Anaxagoras, an older Greek friend, introduces Diana to the Christian Church in Alexandria. This has just been founded by Barnabas who has come to Alexandria with his nephew, John Mark. Diana becomes a Christian.

A state of social unrest is growing in Alexandria which triggers serious riots between the Greek and Egyptian communities. Both the parents of Apollos and those of Diana and Demeter are killed in these riots. Diana realizes that her best chance of a happy future will be secured if she goes to stay with her uncle and aunt in Ephesus.

Apollos returns home. Apollos and Diana rediscover each other and Apollos sees in Diana the beauty that he had earlier failed to appreciate. They marry.

Diana and Apollos are happy for many years. Diana is able to give Apollos great support in leading the church in Corinth. Apollos suggests that they should move to Gaul. Here they meet again with Claurinius and Demeter.

Claurinius realizes that he must make an extravagant gesture of support for Caesar to prevent his falling into disfavour through his failure to prevent a revolt in Gaul. He arrests the Christians in Gaul including Apollos. They are escorted to cells in the great Circus of Nimes. Here they are told that they will executed on the following day. Apollos counsels the Christians on how to thwart Claurinius’ plans, and in the event, the spectacle in the arena turns out to be very different to that which Claurinius had anticipated.