In the epic classic book and movie, Ben-Hur, the main character, Judah Ben-Hur, through an accident and tragic misunderstanding is arrested and sold to work in the mines by the Roman authorities. Despite going from the son of a wealthy family to slave, Ben-Hur refused to fall into despair. He exercised and built his strength up. When he was ready he inched his way up the mineshaft and made it to the top. Unfortunately, he was easily captured because he was blinded by the sunlight after spending so much time in the dark mine shaft.
His captors were so impressed with his strength that they sold him to the Roman navy as a rower for their warships. Again Ben-Hur refused to give up. He used his great strength to become the best rower on the boat. Eventually, he was given the special privilege of not being chained to the boat.
Later in a great naval battle, his boat was rammed and sunk. Because Ben-Hur was not chained, he was the only slave to escape. He was able to save the admiral who had given permission to have him unchained. The admiral was so grateful; he took him to Rome and adopted him as his son. Later when the admiral died, Ben-Hur inherited his great wealth....