[1] It is an adaptation of the play La Nave by Gabriele D'Annunzio, father of the film's director.

Basilioa is the daughter of Orso Faledro and is back in town in search of revenge for her father and for her brothers.

Mario is the winner, but finally he understands that he and his brother have fallen into the seductive trap of Basilioa.

Mario is a tribune and uses his power to condemn the woman to the same punishment of her father Orso Faledro: blinding; but Basilioa prefers death in the flames.

In the meantime barbarians are coming to the doors of the town; the people move away to found another city: Venice.