Vathek, the ninth caliph of the Abassides in Arabia, ascends to the throne at an early age and reigns with an iron fist, inspiring terror and unrest among his people. His intense thirst for knowledge (which makes him feel more powerful) and his constant desire for pleasures of the flesh will ultimately lead to his downfall.

When he purchases mysterious glowing swords from a strange merchant, he learns the swords have inscriptions and powers he cannot understand or translate. Vathek sells his soul to find out what they say and becomes eternally damned.