Bigger Than Ben-Hur: The Book, Its Adaptations, and Their AudiencesFirst published in 1880, Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ became a best seller. The popular novel spawned an 1899 stage adaptation, reaching audiences of over 10 million, and two highly successful film adaptations. For over a century, it has become a ubiquitous pop cultural presence, representing a deeply powerful story and monumental experience for some and a defining work of bad taste and false piety for others. The first and only collection of essays