The Path to Rome · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Path to Rome by Hilaire Belloc.
Unknown
major
Also known as I, myself, me, yourself, your, myself
The first-person narrator and focal character, a pilgrim traveling to Rome.
Ruth
supporting
Also known as myself, mine
A recurring female figure, possibly a companion or memory of the narrator.
Hephzibah
supporting
A character addressed or referenced by the narrator, likely a domestic figure.
Auctor
supporting
The authorial persona, often commenting on the narrative or addressing the reader.
Devil
supporting
Also known as the Devil, The Devil, yourself, your
A supernatural antagonist or tempter encountered during the journey.
St. Michael
minor
Also known as Michael, himself
An archangel who appears as a protector or guide to the narrator.
The Master
minor
A figure of authority, possibly a religious or philosophical mentor.
Germans
minor
Also known as the Germans, The Germans, their
A group of people encountered by the narrator, often as soldiers or locals.
Padre Eterno
minor
Also known as the Padre Eterno
A divine figure, God the Father, referenced in prayers or visions.
St. Charles Borromeo
minor
Also known as St. Charles, a Borromeo, himself
A saint invoked or appearing as a model of piety.
The French
minor
Also known as the northern French, their
A national group encountered during the narrator's travels.
Sir John Growl
minor
Also known as himself
A comedic or satirical character, possibly a caricature of an Englishman.
The Priest
minor
A clergyman who interacts with the narrator during the pilgrimage.
A Young Priest
minor
Also known as him
A younger cleric met on the road, possibly a fellow traveler.
The Italians
minor
Also known as their, themselves
Local inhabitants of Italy encountered by the narrator.
Mr. Benjamin Franklin Hard
minor
Also known as Mr. Hard
A named character, possibly a fellow traveler or acquaintance.
Huc! Pater
minor
Also known as Pater
A Latin exclamation or address to a father figure, possibly a character.
St. Louis
minor
A saint referenced as a model of kingship or faith.
Mr. Fingle
minor
Also known as Fingle
A minor character, possibly a tradesman or local figure.
Pedant
minor
A caricature of an overly scholarly or pedantic figure.
Authority
minor
An abstract or personified figure representing institutional power.
Englishman
minor
A generic English traveler or national stereotype.
Acedes
minor
A named character, possibly a local or fellow pilgrim.
Lord Saxonthorpe
minor
A titled character, likely a minor aristocrat encountered.
Andiamo
minor
A character whose name means 'let's go' in Italian, possibly a guide.
James Bayle
minor
A named historical or fictional figure referenced in the narrative.
Bacchus
minor
The Roman god of wine, invoked or mentioned in a classical context.
Father
minor
A priest or paternal figure addressed by the narrator.
The Highlanders
minor
Also known as their
Scottish highlanders encountered or referenced during travels.
King Alfred
minor
The historical English king, mentioned as a cultural reference.
Mr. Hard Lector
minor
Also known as Lector
A named character, possibly a reader or critic addressed directly.
