Marius the Epicurean · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Marius the Epicurean by Walter Pater.
Marius
major
Also known as Marius the Epicurean, the young Marius, sentimental Marius, Epicurean
A young Roman of refined sensibility who seeks truth and beauty through various philosophical schools.
Marcus Aurelius
major
Also known as Aurelius
The Stoic emperor whose court and philosophy deeply influence Marius during his time in Rome.
Flavian
supporting
Also known as Hadrian, The Emperor Hadrian to his Soul Flavian, the archaic Hadrian
Marius's brilliant and charismatic friend who introduces him to literature and a worldly life.
Cornelius Fronto
supporting
Also known as Cornelius, Marcus Cornelius Fronto, Fronto
A renowned orator and tutor to Marcus Aurelius, whom Marius meets in Rome.
Cecilia
supporting
A Christian woman of noble family whose household becomes a center of worship and refuge.
Psyche
minor
Also known as the hapless Psyche
The mythological figure whose story of love and suffering is a recurring allegory in the narrative.
Lucius Verus
minor
Also known as Lucius, Verus, Lucian
Co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius, known for his more pleasure-loving disposition.
Faustina
minor
Empress and wife of Marcus Aurelius, whose reputation for scandal touches the court.
Apuleius
minor
Author of The Golden Ass, whose work is read and discussed by Marius and Flavian.
Antoninus Pius
minor
Also known as the dying Antoninus Pius, Antoninus, old Antoninus Pius
The preceding emperor, whose death is recounted at the start of Marius's Roman sojourn.
Plato
minor
The Greek philosopher whose ideas on love and reality are frequently referenced by characters.
Hermotimus
minor
A character in Lucian's dialogue who represents a skeptical philosophical position.
Vettius Epagathus
minor
A Christian martyr from Lyons whose story is told during the persecution narratives.
Blandina
minor
A Christian slave and martyr whose courage is celebrated in the account of the Gallic persecution.
Commodus
minor
The son of Marcus Aurelius, whose violent nature foreshadows the empire's decline.
Lucilla
minor
Also known as the widowed Lucilla
Daughter of Marcus Aurelius and widow of Lucius Verus, involved in court intrigues.
Numa
minor
The legendary second king of Rome, whose religious institutions are recalled in the opening chapters.
Socrates
minor
The Athenian philosopher, often invoked as a model of ethical inquiry and martyrdom.
Chaerephon
minor
Also known as Dear Chaerephon
A friend of Socrates, mentioned in the context of the Delphic oracle's pronouncement.
Hercules
minor
The mythological hero, used as a symbol of Stoic endurance and divine labor.
Cupid
minor
The god of love, central to the myth of Psyche retold in the Golden Book.
Venus Speciosa
minor
Also known as Venus, the true Venus, ancient Venus
The goddess of love, whose temple and cult are described in Marius's early religious experiences.
Jupiter
minor
The king of the gods, frequently invoked in Roman religious contexts throughout the book.
Heraclitus
minor
The pre-Socratic philosopher known for his doctrine of flux and the unity of opposites.
Aesculapius
minor
The god of medicine, whose temple is visited by Marius during his search for healing.
Diana
minor
The goddess of the hunt, associated with the natural world and virginity.
Ceres
minor
The goddess of agriculture, whose rites are part of the old Roman religion.
Proserpine
minor
Queen of the underworld, whose abduction myth is referenced in relation to seasonal cycles.
Juno
minor
Also known as Juno Sospita
The queen of the gods, protector of women and the Roman state.
Bacchus
minor
The god of wine and ecstasy, associated with mystery cults and liberation.
Mercury
minor
The messenger god, guide of souls, and patron of travelers and merchants.
Apollo
minor
The god of prophecy, music, and healing, whose oracle at Delphi is mentioned.
Zephyrus
minor
The west wind, a minor mythological figure in the Psyche narrative.
Ceyx
minor
A mythological king transformed into a bird, referenced in poetic contexts.
Nero
minor
The infamous emperor, cited as a negative example of tyranny and excess.
Augustus
minor
Also known as the great Augustus
The first Roman emperor, whose reign is seen as a golden age of peace and culture.
Horace
minor
The Roman poet, quoted and admired for his Epicurean and lyrical verses.
Homer
minor
The epic poet, whose works are a touchstone for classical education and values.
Euripides
minor
The Greek tragedian, cited for his psychological depth and skeptical themes.
Cicero
minor
The Roman orator and philosopher, referenced for his writings on duty and the gods.
Pliny
minor
The Roman naturalist and author, cited for his observations on the natural world.
Galen
minor
The Greek physician, whose medical theories are mentioned in passing.
Alexander
minor
Alexander the Great, used as a symbol of worldly ambition and conquest.
Constantine
minor
The first Christian emperor, referenced in the context of the church's later triumph.
Saint Augustine
minor
Also known as Augustine
The Christian theologian, whose conversion story parallels some themes in the book.
Saint Francis of Assisi
minor
Also known as Saint Francis
The medieval saint, mentioned as an example of Christian simplicity and love of nature.
Jonathan Edwards
minor
Also known as the excellent Jonathan Edwards
The Puritan theologian, referenced in the endnotes for his religious intensity.
Dante
minor
The Italian poet, whose Divine Comedy is alluded to in discussions of the afterlife.
Saint Lewis
minor
Also known as Lewis, Saint Lewis of France
King Louis IX of France, cited as a model of Christian kingship.
Pheidias
minor
The Greek sculptor, whose statue of Zeus is mentioned as a pinnacle of classical art.
Aristippus
minor
The founder of the Cyrenaic school of philosophy, advocating for pleasure as the highest good.
Ponticus
minor
A Christian martyr mentioned in the account of the Gallic persecution.
