Plays · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.
Unknown
major
Also known as I, myself, mine
The narrator or focal character, heavily referenced via pronouns throughout the plays.
Gallicanus
major
Also known as Gallicanus, Constantine, Constance
A Roman general and later Christian convert, central to the first play.
Paphnutius
major
Also known as Paphnutius, Father Paphnutius, Paphnutius Man, Paphnutius Brother
A hermit who converts the courtesan Thais and later becomes a bishop.
Thais
major
Also known as Thais, Young Man Thais, Lovers Cruel Thais
A beautiful courtesan who repents and becomes a nun under Paphnutius's guidance.
Sapientia
major
Also known as Sapientia, Charity, Hope, little Charity
A Christian mother whose daughters Faith, Hope, and Charity are martyred.
Callimachus
major
Also known as Callimachus, Callimachus Drusiana, Callimachus Woman
A young man who loves Drusiana and later converts to Christianity.
Drusiana
major
Also known as Drusiana, Drusiana Venerable father John
A devout Christian woman who dies and is resurrected by the Apostle John.
Abraham
major
Also known as Abraham, Abraham Mary, Abraham Brother Ephrem
A hermit who rescues his niece Mary from a life of sin.
Mary
major
Also known as Mary, Lady Mary, Mary Wretch
Abraham's niece who becomes a prostitute but later repents.
Dulcitius
supporting
Also known as Dulcitius, The Governor Dulcitius, Governor Dulcitius
A Roman governor who persecutes Christian virgins and is humiliated.
Irena
supporting
Also known as Irena, Sisinnius Irena
One of the three Christian sisters martyred under Diocletian.
Sisinnius
supporting
Also known as Sisinnius, Count Sisinnius, Sisinnius Fools
A Roman official who tortures and executes Christian martyrs.
John
supporting
Also known as John, blessed John, John Drusiana, John Calhmachus
The Apostle John who raises Drusiana and Callimachus from the dead.
Ephrem
supporting
Also known as Ephrem, Brother Ephrem, Ephrem Child, Ephrem Mary
A monk who assists Abraham in rescuing Mary.
Antiochus
supporting
Also known as Antiochus, Hadrian Antiochus, Antiochus Sapientia
A Roman emperor who persecutes Sapientia and her daughters.
Hadrian
supporting
Also known as Hadrian, the Emperor Hadrian, Hadrian Little
A Roman emperor involved in the persecution of Christians.
Constantine
supporting
Also known as Constantine, The Emperor Constantine
Roman emperor who converts to Christianity and supports Gallicanus.
Julian the Apostate
supporting
Also known as Julian the Apostate, Julian, Julian Soldiers
Roman emperor who persecutes Christians and orders Gallicanus's death.
Agape
supporting
Also known as Agape, Agape O Lord, Sisinnius Agape
One of the three Christian sisters martyred with Chionia and Irena.
Chionia
supporting
Also known as Chionia
One of the three Christian sisters martyred under Diocletian.
Diocletian
supporting
Also known as Diocletian, the Emperor Diocletian
Roman emperor who orders the persecution of Christian virgins.
Andronicus
supporting
Also known as Andronicus, Andronicus Drusiana, Andronicus Look
Husband of Drusiana who becomes a Christian after her resurrection.
Fortunatus
minor
Also known as Fortunatus
A servant of Callimachus who dies and is resurrected.
Antony
minor
Also known as Antony, old Antony, Brother Antony, Antony Brother
An elderly hermit who advises Paphnutius.
Terentianus
minor
Also known as Terentianus, Terentianus Soldiers
A Roman officer who executes Gallicanus and later converts.
Paul
minor
Also known as Paul, Paul O Christ, Paul Father
A Christian martyr executed alongside John under Julian.
Roswitha
minor
Also known as Roswitha, Théâtre de Roswitha, the Roswitha of Paphnutius
The author and narrator who appears in prefaces and notes.
Gerberg
minor
Also known as Gerberg, Gerberg Illustrious Abbess
The abbess to whom Roswitha dedicates her work.
Artemia
minor
Also known as Artemia, Artemia Hail
Daughter of Diocletian who converts to Christianity.
Helena
minor
Also known as Helena, noble Helena
Mother of Constantine, mentioned in the Gallicanus play.
Bradan
minor
Also known as Bradan, Bradan Gallicanus
A soldier who serves Gallicanus.
Laurence Humfrey
minor
Also known as Laurence Humfrey
A historical figure mentioned in the translator's note.
Conrad Celtes
minor
Also known as Conrad Celtes, Celtes
A humanist who rediscovered Roswitha's works.
Charles Magnin
minor
Also known as Charles Magnin, Magnin
A French scholar who wrote about Roswitha.
Anatole France
minor
Also known as Anatole France, M. Anatole France
A French author cited in the notes.
Terence
minor
Also known as Terence
A Roman playwright mentioned in the preface.
Miss Ellen Terry
minor
Also known as Miss Ellen Terry
A modern actress mentioned in the acting note.
