# Last and First Men — Character guide

> Key figures in Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon.

- [The Narrator](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_narrator.md): The voice recounting the future history of humanity, often using 'we' and 'our'.
- [The Martians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_martians.md): The intelligent inhabitants of Mars who invade Earth, nearly destroying the Second Men.
- [The First True Individual](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_first_true_individual.md): A unique Fourth Men who develops self-awareness and individuality, leading to a tragic end.
- [The Last Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_last_men.md): The final human species, highly evolved and telepathic, facing the end of humanity.
- [The Fifth Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_fifth_men.md): A long-lived species that develops the cult of evanescence and explores time and space.
- [The First Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_first_men.md): The original human species, whose history spans from primitive times to the First World State.
- [The Great Brains](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_great_brains.md): Enormous disembodied brains created by the Fourth Men, ruling through intellect and telepathy.
- [The Americans](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_americans.md): A dominant nation in the early 20th century, later leading the Americanized planet.
- [The Fourth Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_fourth_men.md): Artificial beings created by the Third Men, eventually producing the Great Brains.
- [The Sixteenth Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_sixteenth_men.md): A later human species mentioned in the future history, part of the sequence of evolving humanity.
- [The Seventh Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_seventh_men.md): A winged human species that develops flight and a unique aerial culture.
- [The Patagonians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_patagonians.md): A warlike people who rise to power during the First Dark Age, known for their cult of youth.
- [The Racial Hero](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_racial_hero.md): A legendary figure among the Fifth Men, embodying their ideals and aspirations.
- [America](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/america.md): The continent and nation that becomes a dominant power, later leading the Americanized planet.
- [The Mongol](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_mongol.md): A historical conqueror whose legacy influences later human conflicts.
- [The Germans](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_germans.md): A European nation involved in the wars that lead to Europe's downfall.
- [The Martian Individual](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_martian_individual.md): A representative Martian, illustrating the unique psychology and society of Mars.
- [The Venerians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_venerians.md): The human inhabitants of Venus, who adapt to a new world after Earth's destruction.
- [The English and French](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_english_and_french.md): European nations involved in the Anglo-French War and subsequent conflicts.
- [England](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/england.md): A European nation, often personified in discussions of war and politics.
- [The Chinese](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_chinese.md): An Asian nation that rises to power and conflicts with America.
- [Gordelpus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/gordelpus.md): A divine or heroic figure worshipped by the Fifth Men, possibly a mythic founder.
- [The Martian Cloudlet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_martian_cloudlet.md): A small Martian entity or vessel, possibly a probe or scout.
- [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/socrates.md): The ancient Greek philosopher, referenced as a model of early human thought.
- [The German](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_german.md): A representative German individual, possibly a leader or soldier in the wars.
- [The Italians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_italians.md): A European nation involved in the conflicts leading to Europe's downfall.
- [The Englishman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_englishman.md): A representative English individual, possibly a soldier or politician.
- [The Jews](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_jews.md): A people referenced in the context of European history and persecution.
- [Neptune](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/neptune.md): The distant planet where the Last Men eventually migrate and face their final challenge.
- [Jesus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/jesus.md): The religious figure, referenced as a historical influence on human culture.
- [Hundreds of His Servants](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/hundreds_of_his_servants.md): A group of servants belonging to a powerful figure, possibly the Great Brains.
- [Japan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/japan.md): An Asian nation, often personified in discussions of global power.
- [Ugly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/ugly.md): A personification or concept of ugliness, possibly a philosophical or aesthetic reference.
- [The Eighth Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_eighth_men.md): A giant human species that exists in the sequence of evolving humanity.
- [The Third Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_third_men.md): A human species that creates the Fourth Men and develops the vital art.
- [Young China](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/young_china.md): The rising generation of China, representing its modernizing and ambitious spirit.
- [The American](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_american.md): A representative American individual, possibly a leader or citizen.
- [The Terrestrials](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_terrestrials.md): The inhabitants of Earth, as opposed to the Martians and Venerians.
- [Venus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/venus.md): The planet where humanity migrates after Earth's destruction, becoming the Venerians.
- [Europeans](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/europeans.md): The people of Europe, whose wars lead to their downfall.
- [Satan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/satan.md): The devil, referenced as a mythological figure in human history.
- [The Fifteenth Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_fifteenth_men.md): A later human species in the sequence, mentioned in the future history.
- [Fate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/fate.md): The personification of destiny, often referenced in philosophical discussions.
- [The Indians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_indians.md): Indigenous peoples of the Americas, referenced in early human history.
- [The Discoverer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_discoverer.md): An unnamed figure who makes a significant discovery, possibly in science or exploration.
- [Mars](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/mars.md): The planet inhabited by the Martians, whose civilization is described in detail.
- [Einstein](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/einstein.md): The physicist, referenced as a key figure in the development of science.
- [The Russians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_russians.md): A European nation involved in the Russo-German War.
- [Lundy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/lundy.md): An island in the Pacific, possibly a location for a significant event.
- [Thither](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/thither.md): A place or direction, possibly a metaphorical or literal destination.
- [The Ninth Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_ninth_men.md): A human species in the sequence, mentioned in the future history.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters