# The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia — Character guide

> Key figures in The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson.

- [Rasselas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/rasselas.md): Prince of Abyssinia who escapes the Happy Valley to seek the choice of life.
- [Imlac](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/imlac.md): Wise poet and philosopher who accompanies Rasselas on his journey.
- [Nekayah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/nekayah.md): Rasselas's sister, a princess who observes private life and marriage.
- [Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/pekuah.md): Princess Nekayah's beloved attendant, kidnapped during a pyramid visit.
- [The Astronomer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_astronomer.md): A learned man who believes he controls the weather and seasons.
- [The Hermit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_hermit.md): A solitary man who lived in the desert and later returns to society.
- [The Bassa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_bassa.md): A Turkish governor who captures Pekuah and holds her in his seraglio.
- [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_old_man.md): An aged philosopher who discourses on the vanity of human wishes.
- [The Princess](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_princess.md): A title often referring to Nekayah, but also used generically.

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