The newly-settled city of Venice in the Sixth Century AD: A wandering people struggle to establish Christian Theocracy. Basiliola Faledro, an exotic dancer, wicked and cunning, arrives from faraway lands seeking to avenge her pagan lineage; Her father and brothers blinded and humilated by frenzied zealots. Her primary targets are the brothers Gràtico, both newly-elected to positions of power: One, Marco, an arbiter and tribune, the other, Sergio, a bishop. The title refers to a bold pronouncement made by Deaconess Ema Gràtico to her subjects the Venetians, a seafaring and desperate tribe-- That their native homeland is aboard a ship.

Back from America, Galaor, actor and adventurer with a big heart, finds Lise, his adored cousin. The young girl is about to marry against her will the banker Moriang, who knew how to win her father's favors by saving his factories from bankruptcy. But Moriang plots to accuse Galaor, who has become a formidable rival, of theft.