 Hamilan, a cruel and ambitious general, murders his king and places himself on the throne with the former king s evil niece as his queen. He then wages war against his peaceful neighbors, killing their women and enslaving their men. A hero named Ursus appears at a tournament to challenge Hamilan s authority. Though victorious at the tournament, Ursus is arrested and forced to turn a grist-mill under an overseer s lash. Meanwhile, the former king s virtuous daughter, Diana, is tormented by her evil cousin, the new queen. Sentenced to a slow and tortuous execution, Ursus breaks free and a revolt breaks out. Ursus throws Hamilan to his death in a fiery pit and then Ursus and Diana enjoy the cheers of a grateful populace.