Giustino

At court, the widowed Empress Arianna, crowns her new husband, Anastasio. The celebrations are cut short when Polidarte delivers a message from his general, the rebel leader Vitaliano. Vitaliano offers to cease his attack on the empire if Arianna surrenders to his bed. She refuses and Anastasio departs to fight Vitaliano. Unbeknownst to her husband, Arianna follows.

Giustino, a young boy, is visited in a dream by the Goddess Fortuna, who declares that a great destiny awaits him. He wakes and immediately rescues a woman, Leocasta, from a bear. Leocasta is attracted to Giustino and sees great potential in him as a future leader. Meanwhile Amanzio, Anastasio’s political advisor, secretly plots to seize power through deception.

Arianna is captured by Polidarte and brought to Vitaliano. When she refuses to yield to Vitaliano, he decides to feed her to a sea monster. Anastasio has heard of Giustino’s brave exploits and sends him to rescue Arianna. Giustino kills the sea monster and captures Vitaliano. Amanzio grows jealous of Giustino’s favour with the Emperor. Anastasio and Arianna are reunited.

Vitaliano is now Arianna’s captive, to her delight. Meanwhile the scheming Amanzio poisons Anastasio’s mind against Giustino. He convinces the Emperor that Arianna’s gift of a treasure to Giustino is not a reward for his heroics but evidence of infidelity. Anastasio is enraged and turns on his young champion. Leocasta is fearful for Giustino and tells Arianna that she suspects Amanzio of treachery.

Imprisoned, Giustino curses the Goddess Fortuna, and falls asleep from exhaustion. Vitaliano escapes his bonds and is about to kill Giustino when he hears the voice of his dead father warning him that he is about to murder his own brother. Vitaliano is stunned to discover the family mark on Giustino’s arm, and the brothers are reconciled.

Amanzio has usurped the throne and imprisoned Anastasio. Giustino returns and defeats Amanzio, ordering his immediate execution. In thanks, Anastasio offers Giustino Leocasta’s hand in marriage, and makes him co-regent.