# The Kohen — A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder character guide

> The Kohen in A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder by James De Mille.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Kohen, the Kohen Gadol, The mild Kohen, this Kohen Gadol

**First appearance:** 0007-viii-the-cave-dwellers

## Who they are

The mild high priest who clasps his hands in genuine horror at the narrator's love of life, patiently trying to teach a madman that death is the greatest blessing.

## In the story

### [IX: The Cavern of the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/ix-the-cavern-of-the-dead)

Visits the narrator, teaches him language, and shows generous hospitality; his title is revealed.

### [X: The Sacred Hunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/x-the-sacred-hunt)

Leads the hunt, kills the wounded with his knife, and later shows curiosity about the narrator's rifle.

### [XI: The Swamp Monster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xi-the-swamp-monster)

Leads the sacred hunt; survives the attack and greets the narrator with a melancholy smile, saddened that he did not die.

### [XII: The Baleful Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xii-the-baleful-sacrifice)

Leads the sacrificial ritual, killing the youths with a knife.

### [XIII: The Awful Mista Kosek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xiii-the-awful-mista-kosek)

Shows kind and sympathetic attention to the narrator after his collapse; plays and sings for him; avoids mentioning the Mista Kosek.

### [XIV: I Learn My Doom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xiv-i-learn-my-doom)

Shows deep care during Almah's illness; described as benevolent but powerless, being the lowest in influence.

### [The Kohen Is Inexorable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xv-the-kohen-is-inexorable)

Inexorable in his beliefs, he explains the Kosekin's love of death and poverty, and recounts his own fall from pauper to Kohen, hoping to regain poverty and a public death.

### [XVIII: A Voyage Over the Pole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xviii-a-voyage-over-the-pole)

Guides the narrator and Almah toward the amir; rejoices in the storm as a chance for death; explains Kosekin philosophy of sacrifice.

### [XIX: The Wonders of the Amir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xix-the-wonders-of-the-amir)

The Kohen Gadol, a man of advanced selfish views; he is curious about the outer world and hopes the narrator can help him; he is the lowest in Kosekin society due to his lack of their virtues.

### [XXI: The Flying Monster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xxi-the-flying-monster)

Devotes himself to Almah, cooperating with Layelah's plan.

### [Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xxii-escape)

Spends time with Almah, unaware of the escape plan.

### [XXVIII: In Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/chapters/xxviii-in-prison)

Visits the narrator to inform him of the Council of State's decision regarding their flight.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/characters/kohen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_manuscript_found_in_a_copper_cylinder_se/characters