# Agon — Allan Quatermain character guide

> Agon in Allan Quatermain by H. Rider Haggard.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** O Agon, old Agon

**First appearance:** 0017-xiv-the-flower-temple

## Snapshot

A white-bearded high priest whose plots and long spear make him the deadliest enemy of the strangers within the Zu-Vendi temple walls.

## Who they are

Agon is a high priest of the Zu-Vendi, a man whose flowing white beard and flowing robes conceal a ruthless will to see the outsiders destroyed. When the wall of marble block rises against him and his schemes near collapse, he does not send others—he seizes a great spear and charges the stair himself, driven by baffled rage. His feud with Umslopogaas, who has sworn to slay the 'old witch-finder,' gives the temple siege its sharpest personal edge, and his death marks the breaking of the plot against Nyleptha.

## Relationships

### [Nyleptha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/nyleptha)

_rivalry_

Agon, the high priest, opposes Nyleptha's rule and seeks to undermine her authority through religious manipulation.

### [The Priests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/the_priests)

_professional_

Agon is the high priest and leader of the priestly order, commanding their obedience in religious and political schemes.

### [Nyleptha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/nyleptha)

_rivalry_

Agon, the high priest, opposes Nyleptha's rule and seeks to undermine her authority through religious manipulation.

### [The Priests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/the_priests)

_professional_

Agon is the high priest and leader of the priestly order, commanding their obedience in religious and political schemes.

### [Nyleptha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/nyleptha)

_rivalry_

Agon, the high priest, opposes Nyleptha's rule and seeks to undermine her authority through religious manipulation.

### [The Priests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/the_priests)

_professional_

Agon is the high priest and leader of the priestly order, commanding their obedience in religious and political schemes.

## In the story

### [XII: The Sister Queens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xii-the-sister-queens)

The High Priest who demands the adventurers be sacrificed for killing sacred hippopotami.

### [XIV: The Flower Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xiv-the-flower-temple)

High Priest who attempts to have the strangers thrown into the fiery pit; forced to adjourn the matter.

### [XV: Sorais’s Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xv-sorais-s-song)

Mentioned as the head of the priesthood, whose enmity toward the adventurers is growing.

### [Before the Statue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xvi-before-the-statue)

Supports Nasta's marriage proposal with a political speech.

### [XIX: A Strange Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xix-a-strange-wedding)

The High Priest is forced to officiate the wedding against his will, bristling with indignation at the foreign ceremonies.

### [XXI: Away! Away!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxi-away-away)

Mentioned as the 'old witch-finder' who set a snare for Nyleptha; Umslopogaas swears to kill him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/agon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters