Fiction. While 'Ben Hur' does incorporate elements of the historical Roman Empire, like the grandeur of its cities and the power structure, the actual tale of Ben Hur himself is a work of fiction. It was written to tell an engaging story that would capture the readers' imaginations, not to document historical facts in a strict sense.
Ben Hur is a classic tale of adventure, revenge, and redemption. It follows the life of Judah Ben Hur, who is wrongly accused and sent into slavery, but eventually seeks justice and finds spiritual awakening.
Ben Hur is not a factual account. It's a piece of fiction that has captured the imagination of many. The story was crafted to entertain and tell a compelling narrative rather than being based on real events.