Tamburlaine Mycetes, king of Persia and Cosroe, his brother are concerned with Tamburlaine s rise to power.

Cosroe criticizes his brother for being a weak and foolish king, and Mycetes instructs his chief captain Theridamas to kill Tamburlaine and his band before they enter Persia. Then, two Persian lords inform Cosroe of widespread unrest and offer him the crown, which Cosroe accepts. Tamburlaine has captured Zenocrate and tells her he loves her. Theridamas comes to fight Tamburlaine but he wins him over and becomes his friend.