# Tardos Mors — A Princess of Mars character guide

> Tardos Mors in A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0024-xxii-i-find-dejah

## Snapshot

The aged Jeddak of Helium who faces the possible extinction of his world with a ruler's composure and a grandfather's tenderness.

## Who they are

As Jeddak of Helium and grandfather to Dejah Thoris, Tardos Mors presides over the red Martians' proudest nation, pacing his throne room with a tense-drawn face when crisis strikes. When word comes that the atmosphere plant has failed and Barsoom has perhaps three days to live, he steadies his council not with denial but with quiet example, and his grief is personal as well as political. His dignity under doom gives the story's stakes a human face and anchors Dejah Thoris in a lineage worth saving.

## Relationships

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_family_

Tardos Mors is Dejah Thoris's grandfather and the Jeddak of Helium, with a loving but authoritative relationship.

### [Tars Tarkas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tars_tarkas)

_professional_

Tardos Mors and Tars Tarkas interact as leaders of their respective Martian nations, often in diplomatic or military contexts.

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_family_

Tardos Mors is Dejah Thoris's grandfather and the Jeddak of Helium, with a loving but authoritative relationship.

### [Tars Tarkas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tars_tarkas)

_professional_

Tardos Mors and Tars Tarkas interact as leaders of their respective Martian nations, often in diplomatic or military contexts.

## In the story

### [An Air Scout for Zodanga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxi-an-air-scout-for-zodanga)

Jeddak of Helium; mentioned as the grandfather of Dejah Thoris, who would rather see her dead than wed against her will.

### [Through Carnage to Joy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxvi-through-carnage-to-joy)

Jeddak of Helium; greets the victorious party, expresses gratitude to Tars Tarkas and John Carter, and welcomes John Carter as a son.

### [From Joy to Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxvii-from-joy-to-death)

Announces the failure of the atmosphere plant and the impending doom, then orders a flier for Carter's mission.

### [At the Arizona Cave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxviii-at-the-arizona-cave)

Jeddak of Helium, mentioned in Carter's thoughts about the palace and the fate of Dejah Thoris.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tardos_mors
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters