A Princess of Mars · Character

Sab Than

The Prince of Zodanga whose pursuit of Dejah Thoris transforms a political alliance into a contest of possession and pride.

supporting

Also known as Sab

First appearance: An Air Scout for Zodanga

As a supporting figure in A Princess of Mars, Sab Than is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Prince of Zodanga; commander of the navy division, suspected of imprisoning Dejah Thoris.

In the storyAn Air Scout for ZodangaOpen this moment free

See Sab Than in An Air Scout for Zodanga Book page

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Sab Than is heir to Zodanga's throne and the suitor whose claim on Dejah Thoris drives the marriage plot that shadows John Carter's arrival on Barsoom. His desire for the princess is bound up with his father's ambitions, making courtship indistinguishable from conquest. He gives the early story its clearest rival: a prince whose power is real, whose intentions are proprietary, and whose presence makes Carter's devotion to Dejah Thoris both urgent and dangerous.

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The fuller portrait of Sab Than sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Sab Than in An Air Scout for Zodanga

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Sab Than sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Helium and Zodanga royalty
Thark captors and allies
Protagonist

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because John Carter’s internal conflict reaches its emotional peak when he nearly…

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Relationships

Dejah Thoris
social · negative
Sab Than is a prince of Zodanga who seeks to marry Dejah Thoris for political gain,… How this plays out →
Dejah Thoris
social · negative
Sab Than is a prince of Zodanga who seeks to marry Dejah Thoris for political gain,… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Sab Than in An Air Scout for Zodanga

In the story

Sab Than appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

An Air Scout for Zodanga
Prince of Zodanga; commander of the navy division, suspected of imprisoning Dejah Thoris.
XXII: I Find Dejah
Prince of Zodanga, eager to marry Dejah Thoris and end the war. He urges his father to make peace.
Lost in the Sky
Target of Kantos Kan's assassination plot; known to use a secret passage from the palace tower.
XXV: The Looting of Zodanga
Prince of Zodanga, killed by John Carter during the battle.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Sab Than unlock in the free preview.

See Sab Than in An Air Scout for Zodanga