# The Sagoths — At the Earth’s Core character guide

> The Sagoths in At the Earth’s Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sagoths, relentless Sagoths, Shrieking Sagoths, the foremost Sagoth

**First appearance:** 0003-iii-a-change-of-masters

## Snapshot

Ape-like huntsmen in the Mahars' service, shrieking and relentless, who would rather leap from a cliff than face a cave bear.

## Who they are

The Sagoths serve as the Mahars' armed hands, tracking escaped prisoners across Pellucidar's cliffs and canyons with brutal efficiency. Their terror of the ryth, the great cave bear, exposes them as bullies rather than true warriors, and their panic turns a hunt into a rout. As David's most immediate physical threat, they embody the everyday violence that keeps Pellucidar's humans in chains.

## Relationships

### [Ghak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/ghak)

_rivalry_

Ghak leads the Sarians in conflict against the brutal Sagoth warriors.

### [The Mahars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/the_mahars)

_professional_

The Mahars command the Sagoths as their enforcers and soldiers, maintaining control through fear.

### [Hooja the Sly One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/hooja_the_sly_one)

_professional_

Hooja collaborates with the Sagoths as a guide and informant, serving their masters.

### [Ghak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/ghak)

_rivalry_

Ghak leads the Sarians in conflict against the brutal Sagoth warriors.

### [Hooja the Sly One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/hooja_the_sly_one)

_professional_

Hooja collaborates with the Sagoths as a guide and informant, serving their masters.

## In the story

### [A Change of Masters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/iii-a-change-of-masters)

The gorilla-like guards who capture David and Perry and chain them with the human prisoners; they speak a pidgin language.

### [IV: Dian the Beautiful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/iv-dian-the-beautiful)

Guard the slave gang; one is intimidated by David's bluff about Perry's prayers; they treat David and Perry with respect afterward.

### [The Beginning of Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/vi-the-beginning-of-horror)

Guard the slaves; drive the crowd to the arena; flee in panic when the thag leaps the barrier.

### [VII: Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/vii-freedom)

Mentioned as guards fleeing during David's escape from the amphitheater; their demoralization aids his flight.

### [The Mahar Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/viii-the-mahar-temple)

Mentioned as former captors of Mezops; now in truce.

### [Phutra Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/x-phutra-again)

Guard the entrance to Phutra and capture David upon his return.

### [XI: Four Dead Mahars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/xi-four-dead-mahars)

Guard the prisoners and escort David to the experimental pits.

### [Pursuit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/xii-pursuit)

Pursue the escapees; a guard notices David's bleeding foot but is deceived by the Mahar disguise.

### [The Sly One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/xiii-the-sly-one)

Pursue David, Ghak, and Perry; most are killed by the cave bear (ryth) after David escapes.

### [Back to Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/xv-back-to-earth)

Form the main enemy force in the battle, are defeated by David's army, and many are taken prisoner.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/the_sagoths
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters