Character guide

Lucius

major

Also known as Apuleius, Lucius Apuleius, Lucius of Patrae, Lucian

Curious young man transformed into an ass, seeking to regain human form.

Psyche

major

Also known as fair Psyche, poor Psyche

Beautiful mortal princess who marries Cupid and endures trials set by Venus.

Fotis

supporting

Also known as Fotis

Milo's servant girl who becomes Lucius's lover and aids his magical curiosity.

Milo

supporting

Also known as Milo of Hippata, Milo of Diophanes

Wealthy moneylender and host to Lucius in Hypata.

Byrrhena

supporting

Lucius's wealthy relative who warns him about Pamphile's sorcery.

Pamphiles

supporting

Milo's wife and a powerful witch who transforms into a bird.

Venus

supporting

Also known as very Venus, new Venus

Goddess of love who persecutes Psyche out of jealousy.

Cupid

supporting

Also known as fair Cupid

God of love who falls in love with Psyche and marries her secretly.

Charites

supporting

Young noblewoman rescued by Lucius the ass from a cliff.

Thrasillus

supporting

Deceptive suitor who plots to kill Charites's husband Lepolemus.

Lepolemus

supporting

Charites's husband who disguises himself to rescue her from bandits.

Socrates

minor

Traveler who tells the story of his encounter with the witch Meroe.

Aristomenus

minor

Storyteller who recounts Socrates's misadventures with Meroe.

Meroe

minor

Also known as Meroe the Witch

Powerful witch who takes revenge on her lover Socrates.

Diophanes

minor

Also known as Whereunto Diophanes

Soothsayer who predicts Lucius's journey but is himself robbed.

Thrasileon

minor

Bandit who disguises himself in a bear skin to infiltrate a house.

Lamathus

minor

Also known as your valiant captain Lamathus

Captain of the thieves who dies during a raid.

Myrmex

minor

Also known as poor Myrmex

Slave entrusted to guard a treasure, later seduced by Philesiterus.

Philesiterus

minor

Also known as adventure Philesiterus

Lover who bribes Myrmex to gain access to a married woman.

Barbarus

minor

Husband who discovers his wife's infidelity through a hidden witness.

Alcimus

minor

Thief who dies after stealing a sword from a statue.

Demochares

minor

Wealthy man who plans a gladiatorial show with bears.

Jupiter

minor

Also known as god Jupiter

King of the gods who intervenes in the Cupid and Psyche story.

Mercury

minor

Messenger god who proclaims Venus's reward for finding Psyche.

Zephyrus

minor

West wind who carries Psyche to Cupid's palace.

Isis

supporting

Also known as Queen Isis

Goddess who appears to Lucius and guides him to redemption.

Osiris

minor

Also known as great Osiris, the god Osiris

God who appears to Lucius in a vision after his initiation.

Pithias

minor

Also known as Pythias

Lucius's former schoolmate who becomes an aedile in Hypata.

Apollo

minor

God whose oracle foretells Psyche's marriage to a monster.

Juno

minor

Goddess who refuses to help Psyche in her distress.

Ceres

minor

Goddess of harvest who also refuses Psyche's plea for aid.

Charon

minor

Also known as Charon nor Pluto

Ferryman of the underworld encountered by Psyche.

Proserpina

minor

Queen of the underworld from whom Psyche must fetch beauty.

Diana

minor

Goddess of the hunt, briefly invoked in the narrative.

Philebus

minor

Priest of the Syrian goddess who travels with Lucius the ass.

Daphne

minor

Woman who turns into a laurel tree, mentioned in a story.

Acteon

minor

Hunter turned into a stag by Diana, referenced in art.

Demeas

minor

Man who accuses his wife of adultery in a comic tale.

Chriseros

minor

Also known as the covetous caitiff Chriseros

Miser who hides his gold and is tricked by a neighbor.

Panthia

minor

Also known as sister Panthia

Witch sister of Meroe who assists in revenge on Socrates.

William Adlington

minor

Also known as Adlington

Translator of the English edition of The Golden Ass.