Synopsis/Details
424 B.C. Athens; the Olympic truce is declared. The fighting stops but rivalry against archenemy
Sparta rages on. KLEON, a self-doubting young man with a gift for running, desires a
better life for himself, his bitter father LABOTAS, a Spartan potter, his sick stoical mother
AMARA and SELENE his thoughtful blind sister. At the Academy gymnasium, ARISTON,
the indomitable Olympic wrestling champion, is under pressure from CLITON, a wealthy but
conceited sponsor, to train Athens’ elite athletes and ensure victory for the city at the Games.
At the bustling market Kleon meets Ariston and his beautiful idealistic daughter KALLISTE,
and tells them he’s an athlete. Later, while training, DION, an Olympic hopeful, fractures his
leg. At home, Ariston tells his family. Kalliste suggests Kleon as a replacement. In a meeting
with the sponsors, he boldly proposes Kleon with a promise of voluntary exile should he lose.
Ariston tells Kleon who, full of fear and insecurity, refuses. At home the dire poverty forces a
change of mind. At a meeting with Ariston and ION, a sponsor, Labotas agrees that should
Kleon win at the festival of Athens but forfeit the prizes he can run at Olympia. Dressed as a
slave, Kalliste serves Kleon wine. EUMELIA, her conservative mother catches her, and hears
of Ariston’s vow. Kalliste admits her love for Kleon. Kleon tells Selene he adores Kalliste.
In Sparta, proud King AGIS and his arrogant son LEONTYCHIDES vow to defeat Athens at
the festival of Athena and the Olympics. Against the prince’s wishes, LYKINOS, the former
Olympic champion, will run. Ariston trains Kleon. Cliton tells them of the Spartan challenge.
Ariston rouses the downcast Kleon. Eumelia makes Ariston and Kalliste confess their secrets.
Ariston agrees Kalliste must marry. At the festival, Kleon wins. Lykinos commits suicide out
of shame. Leontychides swears revenge. Labotas dies. Kleon refuses to run fearing his family
will fall into servitude. Amara reveals Labotas was a champion runner and proud of Kleon’s
win. Kleon decides to run. Leontychides tells Agis of Lykinos’ defeat and is allowed to race.
At Elis the Spartans win their heats; the Athenians lose purposely. Confronting Ariston, they
reveal their deals with Cliton, and his plan to betray Athens to the Spartans. To show her love
for her father and Kleon, Kalliste, with Kleon’s loyal slave SICINOS, runaway to Elis. Kleon
wins his heat. Kalliste arrives. Ariston’s old wound ruptures. On his deathbed, seeing Kleon
is a better man, he begs him to marry Kalliste. He dies. Kalliste and Kleon reveal their love.
At Ariston’s statue in Olympia, with Kalliste by his side, Kleon vows to win. The Spartans
dominate every event - only the foot-race remains. In the stadium, the race starts. KORAX
wins but the victor is caught cheating. The race must re-start. Overcome with anxiety, Kleon
collapses. In a daydream, Ariston reminds him of the power within. Kleon awakens but he is
forbidden to run. Kalliste rouses the eager crowds to chant Kleon’s name. The judges rescind.
The race begins. Neck-and-neck the men run. Kleon spots Leontychides inching ahead. The
finish-line looms. Kleon gives it his all and triumphs. Leontychides protests - the judges drag
him away. Kleon places his olive wreath on his mentor’s statue. At the Academy, unveiling
his statue, he glimpses Ariston’s spirit. Through the vast elated crowds the athletes carry him.
