# The Festival of Serapis at Canopus explained — The Tour

> Chapter companion for The Tour by Louis Couperus.

## What happens

During the summer festival, Alexandria is brilliantly lit and bustling with activity. Lucius, accompanied by his uncle Catullus and tutor Thrasyllus, embarks on a grand procession to Canopus to dream at the temple of Serapis. The journey across Lake Mareotis and the Canopus Canal is filled with music, dance, and spectacle, including a hymn to Aphrodite sung by Cora. The chapter captures the opulence and religious fervor of the festival, culminating in the anticipation of the dream orgy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Travel and Discovery

The journey from Alexandria to Canopus via the canal is a central event, filled with discovery of sights and sounds.

### Love and Desire

Cora's hymn to Aphrodite and the romantic encounters in the reeds highlight themes of love and longing.

### Class and Hierarchy

The procession of wealthy Romans, slaves, and beggars underscores the social stratification of Alexandria.

## Character check-ins

### Publius Lucius Sabinus

The wealthy Roman master who journeys to Canopus to dream, depicted as a priest-like figure longing for his dream.

### Caleb

Arranges the thalamegus barge for Lucius's journey, demonstrating resourcefulness.

### Cora

Sings the Hymn to Aphrodite during the voyage, blushing at Lucius's compliment.

### Catullus

Lucius's corpulent uncle, accompanying him and praising Thrasyllus's knowledge.

### Thrasyllus

The grave tutor who provides historical commentary about Thonis and Helen.

### Vettius

Among the household slaves and freedmen hastening aboard the barge.

### Rufus

Also part of the household procession aboard the barge.

### Aphrodite

The silver statue of Aphrodite on the barge's prow, with incense burning before it, and the temple of Aphrodite Arsinoe is sighted.

## Key lines

> During those evenings of the summer festival, Alexandria was lighted more brilliantly than Rome itself.

Alexandria outshone Rome with its summer festival illuminations.

_Sets the scene of the city's grandeur._

> The thalamegus was painted blue and gilded, with blue-and-gilt oars, which stuck out like so many swan’s-legs.

The barge was decorated in blue and gold, with oars resembling swan legs.

_Describes the opulent vessel._

> All but the heart of my lord that I crave, Hark to thy slave!

Only my lord's heart remains unattainable; hear your servant.

_Cora's plea in the hymn to Aphrodite._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/viii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se/chapters