# Tars Tarkas — A Princess of Mars character guide > Tars Tarkas in A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Tars Tarkas the Thark, the Thark **First appearance:** 0006-iv-a-prisoner ## Snapshot A green Martian chieftain of surprising honor, he befriends the strange Earthman and carries a forty-year grudge against the jeddak who wronged the woman he loved. ## Who they are Among the savage Tharks, Tars Tarkas stands apart — formal, courtly, and capable of loyalty no other green warrior shows. He shelters Carter, fights beside him, and quietly nurses a hatred for Tal Hajus that has smoldered since a woman was taken from him decades ago. His hidden tenderness and his patience for revenge make him the moral counterweight to Thark brutality, and his alliance with Carter reshapes the war for Helium. ## Relationships ### [Tal Hajus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tal_hajus) _rivalry_ Tal Hajus, the cruel Jeddak of the Tharks, is a bitter enemy and political rival to the more honorable Tars Tarkas. ### [Sola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sola) _family_ Sola is the secret daughter of Tars Tarkas, and he feels a protective, though initially hidden, paternal love for her. ### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris) _friendship_ Dejah Thoris and Tars Tarkas develop mutual respect and alliance, bridging their Martian cultures. ### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter) _friendship_ John Carter and Tars Tarkas form a deep, brotherly friendship based on mutual respect and shared battles. ### [Sarkoja](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sarkoja) _rivalry_ Sarkoja is a scheming antagonist who opposes Tars Tarkas and seeks to undermine his authority. ### [Lorquas Ptomel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/lorquas_ptomel) _rivalry_ Lorquas Ptomel is a jealous and treacherous Thark chieftain who competes with Tars Tarkas for power. ### [Tardos Mors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tardos_mors) _professional_ Tardos Mors and Tars Tarkas interact as leaders of their respective Martian nations, often in diplomatic or military contexts. ### [Mors Kajak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/mors_kajak) _professional_ Mors Kajak and Tars Tarkas interact as military leaders from different Martian tribes, initially as adversaries but later as allies. ### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter) _friendship_ John Carter and Tars Tarkas form a deep, brotherly friendship based on mutual respect and shared battles. ### [Lorquas Ptomel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/lorquas_ptomel) _rivalry_ Lorquas Ptomel is a jealous and treacherous Thark chieftain who competes with Tars Tarkas for power. ### [Tal Hajus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tal_hajus) _rivalry_ Tal Hajus, the cruel Jeddak of the Tharks, is a bitter enemy and political rival to the more honorable Tars Tarkas. ### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris) _friendship_ Dejah Thoris and Tars Tarkas develop mutual respect and alliance, bridging their Martian cultures. ## In the story ### [A Princess of Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/a-princess-of-mars) Thark leader who interacts with John Carter and Dejah Thoris. ### [III: My Advent on Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/iii-my-advent-on-mars) The leader of the Green Martian band; he disarms and approaches Carter unarmed, offering an armlet as a sign of peace. ### [A Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/iv-a-prisoner) Vice-chieftain who captured Carter and presents him to the ruler. ### [A Fight That Won Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/vi-a-fight-that-won-friends) Leads the search party and witnesses Carter's battle, showing approval of his prowess. ### [VII: Child-Raising on Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-child-raising-on-mars) Explains the incubator process to Lorquas Ptomel and calls Carter to demonstrate his leaping prowess. ### [X: Champion and Chief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/x-champion-and-chief) Questions John Carter about his language skills and warns him of the consequences of his actions; shows interest in Carter's character. ### [With Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xi-with-dejah-thoris) Mentioned as second in rank to Lorquas Ptomel; present in the audience chamber when Carter is summoned. ### [XII: A Prisoner with Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xii-a-prisoner-with-power) Helps Carter find quarters; remains friendly and unconcerned about the accusations. ### [XIII: Lovemaking on Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-lovemaking-on-mars) Instructs Carter in Tharkian warfare and riding, and learns Carter's method of training thoats. ### [XIV: A Duel to the Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xiv-a-duel-to-the-death) Shows a rare undercurrent of humanity by freeing Dejah Thoris from chains; leads the raid on the Warhoon incubator. ### [XV: Sola Tells Me Her Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xv-sola-tells-me-her-story) Revealed as Sola's father; a warrior who loved Sola's mother in secret. ### [XVII: A Costly Recapture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xvii-a-costly-recapture) Mentioned as the one for whom John Carter spares Tal Hajus's life, allowing Tars Tarkas his moment of vengeance. ### [Tars Tarkas Finds a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxiv-tars-tarkas-finds-a-friend) Saved by Carter in battle, learns of Sarkoja's betrayal of Gozava, kills Tal Hajus in combat, becomes jeddak of Thark, and leads a massive horde to Zodanga. ### [XXV: The Looting of Zodanga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxv-the-looting-of-zodanga) Leads the Thark warriors into the palace, fights alongside John Carter, and later directs the fighting in the city. ### [Through Carnage to Joy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxvi-through-carnage-to-joy) Commands the Thark forces, leads charges against Zodangan lines, and is formally welcomed by Tardos Mors as a friend and ally. ### [From Joy to Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxvii-from-joy-to-death) Acknowledges Sola as his daughter and returns to Helium for the wedding ceremony. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tars_tarkas - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters