Quo Vadis · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz.
Lygia
major
Also known as Callina, divine Lygia, IX Lygia, Yesterday Lygia, LIV Lygia
A Christian hostage princess loved by Vinicius, central to the conflict between faith and Rome.
Marcus Vinicius
major
Also known as Vinicius, young Marcus Vinicius, noble Vinicius, LIII Vinicius, XI Vinicius
A Roman patrician and tribune who falls in love with Lygia and converts to Christianity.
Petronius
major
Also known as Caius Petronius, the skeptical Petronius, noble Petronius, VI Petronius
Nero's arbiter of elegance, witty and cynical, who protects Vinicius and criticizes the emperor.
Nero
major
Also known as Caesar, Bronzebeard, divine Caesar, XXX Caesar, XLI Nero
The tyrannical Roman emperor who persecutes Christians and burns Rome.
Ursus
supporting
Also known as the Lygian, giant Lygian, the enormous Lygian
Lygia's loyal giant servant with superhuman strength, her protector throughout the story.
Chilo Chilonides
supporting
Also known as Chilo, Chilonides, the noble Chilo Chilonides
A cunning Greek philosopher and informer who betrays the Christians for Nero.
Acte
supporting
Nero's former freedwoman and mistress who secretly helps the Christians.
Paul of Tarsus
supporting
Also known as Paul, Paul the Apostle
The Apostle who preaches Christianity in Rome and influences Vinicius's conversion.
Peter
supporting
Also known as the Apostle Peter, Simon Peter
The chief Apostle who leads the Roman Christians and appears in key spiritual scenes.
Tigellinus
supporting
Also known as the noble Tigellinus
Nero's cruel prefect who orchestrates the persecution of Christians.
Aulus Plautius
supporting
Also known as Plautius, Aulus, old Aulus, noble Plautius
A Roman general who raised Lygia as his foster daughter.
Pomponia Graecina
supporting
Also known as Pomponia, Graecina, the good Pomponia
Aulus's wife and a secret Christian who taught Lygia her faith.
Glaucus
minor
A Christian physician betrayed by Chilo, later killed during the persecution.
Crispus
minor
Also known as worthy Crispus, Rufius Crispus, Rufius
A zealous Christian elder who condemns worldliness among believers.
Poppaea
supporting
Also known as Poppaea Sabina, Augusta, Divine Augusta
Nero's ambitious and cruel wife who despises the Christians.
Eunice
minor
Petronius's beloved slave and later wife, devoted to him until death.
Miriam
minor
Also known as old Miriam
A Christian widow who shelters Peter and other believers in her home.
Nazarius
minor
Miriam's son who helps the Christians and carries messages.
Linus
minor
Also known as Bishop Linus, holy Linus
A Christian leader who becomes bishop of Rome after Peter.
Seneca
minor
Nero's philosopher tutor who disapproves of the emperor's excesses.
Croton
minor
Also known as thy wrestler Croton
A powerful gladiator hired by Vinicius to kidnap Lygia, killed by Ursus.
Vestinius
minor
Also known as the superstitious Vestinius
A superstitious Roman senator who fears omens and Nero's wrath.
Vitellius
minor
A flattering Roman senator and courtier of Nero.
Lucan
minor
A poet and friend of Petronius who participates in Nero's literary circle.
Chrysothemis
minor
A beautiful Greek woman and former lover of Petronius.
Vatinius
minor
A deformed court jester and informer in Nero's court.
Tullius Senecio
minor
Also known as Senecio
A young Roman nobleman and companion of Nero's circle.
Domitius Afer
minor
Also known as Old Domitius Afer
An aged Roman orator and senator who appears at Nero's court.
Euricius
minor
A poor Roman who seeks help from Vinicius after his daughter is kidnapped.
Scevinus
minor
Also known as Flavius Scevinus
A Roman senator involved in the Pisonian conspiracy against Nero.
Vannius
minor
A Lygian king mentioned in the context of barbarian wars.
Atacinus
minor
A poet and rival of Petronius in Nero's literary circle.
Urban
minor
A Christian slave of Aulus and Pomponia who serves the household.
Calendio
minor
A steward in Petronius's household who manages his affairs.
Gulo
minor
A gluttonous slave in Petronius's household known for his appetite.
Rubria
minor
Also known as the vestal Rubria
A Vestal Virgin who participates in Nero's sacrilegious wedding ceremony.
Terpnos
minor
Nero's personal musician and lyre teacher.
Diodorus
minor
A Greek philosopher who debates with Petronius about the gods.
Pansa
minor
A Roman official who oversees the games and executions.
Secundus Carinas
minor
Also known as Carinas
A Roman senator who accuses Christians before Nero.
Crispinilla
minor
Also known as Calvia Crispinilla
A wealthy Roman woman and friend of Poppaea who hates Christians.
Quintus
minor
Also known as Young Quartus
A young Roman nobleman who briefly appears at Petronius's villa.
Caius Hasta
minor
Also known as old Caius Hasta, Hasta
An old Roman senator who speaks against Nero's tyranny.
Nigidia
minor
A Roman matron who gossips about the Christians at court.
Pomponius
minor
A Roman senator who is a friend of Petronius.
John
minor
The Apostle John who appears briefly with Peter in Rome.
Piso
minor
Leader of the conspiracy against Nero, mentioned but not seen on stage.
Barcus Soranus
minor
Also known as Barcus
A Roman senator who opposes Nero and is forced to suicide.
Corbulo
minor
A Roman general admired by Petronius, forced to suicide by Nero.
Thrasea
minor
Also known as Old Thrasea, The great Thrasea
A Stoic senator who opposes Nero and is condemned to death.
Tiresias
minor
The blind prophet from myth, referenced by Petronius in conversation.
Memnon
minor
Also known as Colossus of Memnon
A mythical Ethiopian king whose statue is mentioned in passing.
Titus
minor
Future emperor, briefly mentioned as a young commander in Judea.
Atelius Hister
minor
Also known as Hister
A Roman senator who appears at Nero's court.
Cassius Chaerea
minor
Also known as Chaerea
A tribune who later assassinated Caligula, mentioned historically.
Epaphroditus
minor
Nero's freedman secretary who helps him flee at the end.
Torquatus Silanus
minor
Also known as Silanus
A Roman nobleman forced to suicide by Nero for his lineage.
Antistius Verus
minor
Also known as Antistius
A Roman senator who conspires against Nero.
Musonius
minor
A Stoic philosopher who criticizes Nero's tyranny.
Pedanius Secundus
minor
Also known as Pedanius
A Roman prefect whose murder by a slave is mentioned.
Sporus
minor
A young boy Nero castrates and marries as a mock wife.
Aliturus
minor
A Jewish actor favored by Nero who performs in his court.
Cornelius Pudens
minor
Also known as Pudens
A Roman centurion who secretly sympathizes with Christians.
Subrius Flavus
minor
Also known as the stern Subrius Flavus
A tribune who conspires to assassinate Nero.
Faenius Rufus
minor
A Roman prefect involved in the Pisonian conspiracy.
Galba
minor
Also known as Galba Caesar
Future emperor, mentioned as governor of Spain who rebels.
Vindex
minor
A Gallic governor who leads a revolt against Nero.
Mary of Magdala
minor
Also known as Mary
A follower of Christ who appears among the Roman Christians.
Thomas Didymus
minor
Also known as Thomas
The Apostle Thomas, briefly mentioned as preaching in the East.
Silvia
minor
Also known as old Silvia
An elderly Christian woman who shelters believers.
Demas
minor
Also known as the baker Demas, Demas the miller
A Christian baker who provides bread for the community.
Macrinus
minor
A Roman knight who testifies against Christians.
Fabricius Veiento
minor
Also known as Veiento
A Roman senator and informer who accuses Christians.
Vespasian
minor
Future emperor, mentioned as a general in Judea.
Caligula
minor
Also known as Caius Caligula
The mad emperor before Nero, referenced in historical discussions.
Claudius
minor
Also known as Claudius Caesar
The emperor before Nero, mentioned in passing.
Augustus
minor
The first Roman emperor, referenced as a model ruler.
Octavia
minor
Nero's first wife, murdered by him, mentioned in court gossip.
Pythagoras
minor
A Greek philosopher whose teachings are discussed by Petronius.
Socrates
minor
The Athenian philosopher, referenced as a model of wisdom.
Homer
minor
The epic poet, quoted by Petronius and others.
