
Balthasar of Alexandria was an Egyptian Jewish merchant from Alexandria who lived during the 1st century AD. In 30 AD, he came to Judea to seek out Jesus, and he was hosted by Sheik Ilderim. One day, he mistook Judah Ben-Hur for Jesus and struck up a conversation, and, when he discovered that Judah had extensive knowledge of chariot racing, he invited him to speak to Ilderim. When Ilderim told Judah that his rival Messala would be racing against Ilderim's horses, Judah planned revenge on Messala, although Balthasar warned him against murdering Messala and told him that he would be punished in due course through God's miracles.