Hypatia · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Hypatia by Charles Kingsley.
Philammon
major
Also known as Peter, Peter the Reader, Master Peter, brother Peter
A young monk from the Laura who journeys to Alexandria, seeking truth and facing the temptations of the pagan world.
Hypatia
major
Also known as Hypatia the Gentile, the Gentile, poor Hypatia, fairest Hypatia
The brilliant pagan philosopher of Alexandria, whose lectures and ideals draw Philammon into her circle.
Raphael Aben-Ezra
major
Also known as Raphael, Aben-Ezra, Ezra, Raphael the Jew
A wealthy, cynical Jewish merchant who becomes a key figure in the conflicts between pagans, Christians, and Jews.
Pelagia
major
Also known as Aphrodite, poor Pelagia, Pelagia Aphrodite
A beautiful actress and courtesan who seeks redemption, torn between her former life and the new faith.
Cyril
major
Also known as the Bow Cyril, Cyril right
The powerful and ambitious Patriarch of Alexandria, who clashes with the pagan and Jewish communities.
Orestes
supporting
Also known as Poor Orestes
The Roman Prefect of Alexandria, caught between the Emperor, Cyril, and the mob.
Miriam
supporting
Also known as old Miriam, Old Miriam, old Jewess, The Jewess
An old Jewish woman, a schemer and agent of Raphael, deeply involved in the city's intrigues.
Wulf
supporting
Also known as Prince Wulf, Old Wulf, old Wulf, Wulf the Prince
A Gothic prince and warrior, a convert to Christianity, who becomes a protector and guide.
Arsenius
supporting
Also known as the good Arsenius, poor Arsenius
A Christian monk and former tutor, who has retreated to the desert but is drawn back into events.
Synesius
supporting
Also known as Synesius of Cyrene
A philosopher and bishop, a friend of Hypatia, who tries to bridge the pagan and Christian worlds.
Pambo
supporting
Also known as Abbot Pambo
The abbot of the Laura, Philammon's spiritual father, who sends him into the world.
Theon
minor
Also known as old Theon
Hypatia's elderly father, a mathematician and philosopher, who lives in her shadow.
Eudaimon
minor
A servant or attendant in Hypatia's household, often present in her scenes.
Smid
minor
Also known as quoth Smid, old Smid
A Gothic warrior, one of Wulf's companions, who provides a rough-hewn perspective.
Amalric
minor
Also known as Amalric the Amal, the Amal, Amal
A Gothic chieftain, a pagan, who is a rival to Wulf and a figure of the old ways.
Bran
minor
A young Gothic warrior, part of Wulf's band, who is loyal and brave.
Victoria
minor
A Christian woman, possibly a deaconess, who appears in the Christian community of Alexandria.
Isidore
minor
Also known as Abbot Isidore, The blessed Abbot Isidore
An abbot of a monastery in the desert, a figure of authority and wisdom.
Heraclian
minor
A Roman general and count of Africa, who becomes involved in the political machinations.
Majoricus
minor
A Gothic warrior, one of Wulf's men, who participates in the battles and travels.
Dioscuros
minor
A Christian monk or priest in Alexandria, involved in the church's affairs.
St. Augustine
minor
Also known as Augustine, Augustine of Hippo
The famous bishop and theologian, mentioned and briefly appears as a revered figure.
Abamnon
minor
A character in the Gothic camp, possibly a leader or elder.
Adolf
minor
Also known as Adolf the Balth
A Gothic prince, a relative of Wulf, who is part of the royal family.
Ovida
minor
A Gothic warrior, one of the band that travels with Wulf.
Ammonius
minor
A Christian monk in Alexandria, known for his zeal and involvement in conflicts.
Theophilus
minor
The previous Patriarch of Alexandria, mentioned as Cyril's predecessor.
Honorius
minor
The Western Roman Emperor, a distant figure whose authority is invoked.
Placidia
minor
The sister of Emperor Honorius, a figure of the imperial family.
Julian
minor
Also known as Julian the Great
The late Roman Emperor, known as the Apostate, referenced as a historical figure.
Constantine
minor
Also known as Christian, the most Christian Emperor Constantine
The first Christian Roman Emperor, referenced as a historical figure.
Alexander
minor
Alexander the Great, referenced as a historical figure and founder of Alexandria.
Solomon
minor
Also known as O Solomon
The biblical King Solomon, referenced in discussions of wisdom and glory.
Abraham
minor
Also known as thy forefather Abraham
The biblical patriarch, referenced as a forefather of the Jewish people.
Moses
minor
The biblical lawgiver, referenced in religious discussions.
David
minor
Also known as young David
The biblical King David, referenced as a psalmist and warrior.
St. Paul
minor
Also known as Paul, Paul of Tarsus
The apostle, referenced as a foundational figure of Christianity.
St. Peter
minor
The apostle, referenced as a foundational figure of Christianity.
Clement
minor
Also known as Clement of Alexandria, St. Clement
An early Christian theologian of Alexandria, referenced as a learned authority.
Philo
minor
Also known as Philo the Jew, Philo Judaeus
A Hellenistic Jewish philosopher of Alexandria, referenced as a thinker.
Plotinus
minor
A Neoplatonic philosopher, referenced as an influence on Hypatia's thought.
Socrates
minor
The classical Greek philosopher, referenced as a model of wisdom.
Plato
minor
The classical Greek philosopher, referenced as a foundational thinker.
Homer
minor
Also known as old Homer
The epic poet, referenced as a source of pagan mythology and culture.
Aeschylus
minor
The Greek tragedian, referenced as a classical literary figure.
Sophocles
minor
The Greek tragedian, referenced as a classical literary figure.
Zeus
minor
Also known as Homer's Zeus
The king of the Greek gods, referenced in pagan mythology.
Apollo
minor
Also known as Phoebus Apollo, Phoebus, young Phoebus
The Greek god of light and music, referenced in pagan mythology.
Athene
minor
Also known as Pallas, Pallas Athene, Athene Polias
The Greek goddess of wisdom, referenced as Hypatia's patron deity.
Aphrodite
minor
Also known as Venus Anadyomene
The Greek goddess of love, referenced in connection with Pelagia.
Ares
minor
The Greek god of war, referenced in pagan mythology.
Hermes
minor
The Greek messenger god, referenced in pagan mythology.
Dionysus
minor
Also known as Dionusos
The Greek god of wine and ecstasy, referenced in pagan mythology.
Eros
minor
Also known as naughty little Eros
The Greek god of love, referenced in pagan mythology.
Hephaestus
minor
The Greek god of fire and craftsmanship, referenced in pagan mythology.
Hera
minor
The Greek goddess of marriage, referenced in pagan mythology.
Artemis
minor
The Greek goddess of the hunt, referenced in pagan mythology.
Odin
minor
The Norse god, referenced in the Gothic pagan beliefs.
Freya
minor
The Norse goddess, referenced in the Gothic pagan beliefs.
Thor
minor
The Norse god of thunder, referenced in the Gothic pagan beliefs.
Satan
minor
The devil, referenced in Christian theology and as a tempter.
Messiah
minor
The promised savior, referenced in Jewish and Christian theology.
Christ
minor
Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, referenced throughout.
God
minor
Also known as Deity
The supreme being, referenced in religious contexts.
Heaven
minor
The divine realm, referenced in religious contexts.
Alexandria
minor
The city itself, a central setting and character in the narrative.
The Laura
minor
Also known as Abbot Pambo's Laura, XI The Laura
The monastic community in the desert, Philammon's original home.
