# Messala — Ben Hur character guide

> Messala in Ben Hur by Lew Wallace.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** a Messala, the young Messala, The Messala

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Who they are

Ben-Hur's former friend turned Roman rival, whose betrayal sets the story in motion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ben_hur_se/characters/messala
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ben_hur_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ben_hur_se/characters