Overview:A story of ancient Rome. The scene of this story is laid in Rome in the days of Nero. Rome has recently suffered conflagrations and other disasters, and Nero, hoping to divert the public wrath from his own misconduct, has encouraged the persecution of the growing sect of Christians. Valerius, the hero of the story, is a young Roman officer of a better nature than the people with whom he is thrown in contact. Leah, the heroine, is a beautiful young woman, and one of the leading spirits of a band of Christians.