Barlaam and Ioasaph · Character

Nachor

A hermit who steps into Barlaam's name and, in a single debate, turns a king's own philosophers against their master.

supporting

First appearance: xii

As a supporting figure in Barlaam and Ioasaph, Nachor is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

His speech in Barlaam and Ioasaph is revealed to be the Apology of Aristides in a Greek dress.

In the storyThe Apology of AristidesOpen this moment free

See Nachor in The Apology of Aristides Book page

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Nachor agrees to impersonate Barlaam before Abenner's assembled court, a dangerous masquerade that could end in his death if discovered. He argues with such force that the philosophers fall silent and the king's own advisers begin to waver, planting seeds that will eventually crack the pagan establishment. His courage under disguise makes him one of the story's quiet heroes — a man whose willingness to be mistaken for someone else becomes the vehicle for truth.

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See Nachor in xii

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Nachor sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Rivalry
Professional
Other

Character groups

Christian converts and hermits
Protagonist
Biblical and pagan figures

+3 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Ioasaph’s d…

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Relationships

Ioasaph
psychological · ambivalent
Nachor is a false monk sent to deceive Ioasaph, but he is converted and becomes a tool in… How this plays out →
Barlaam
rivalry · negative
Barachias
rivalry · negative
Theudas
professional · negative
Barlaam
rivalry · negative
Ioasaph
psychological · ambivalent
Nachor is a false monk sent to deceive Ioasaph, but he is converted and becomes a tool in… How this plays out →

Ioasaph
Nachor is a false monk sent to deceive Ioasaph, but he is converted and becomes a tool in the prince's spiritual journey.
Barlaam
Barlaam exposes Nachor's false piety and defeats him in a theological debate, revealing him as a fraud.
Barachias
Barachias distrusts Nachor and works to expose his deception against Ioasaph.
Theudas
Nachor and Theudas are both pagan agents employed to oppose Ioasaph's faith, though Nachor later converts.
Barlaam
Barlaam exposes Nachor's false piety and defeats him in a theological debate, revealing him as a fraud.
Ioasaph
Nachor is a false monk sent to deceive Ioasaph, but he is converted and becomes a tool in the prince's spiritual journey.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Nachor in xii

In the story

Nachor appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Apology of Aristides
His speech in Barlaam and Ioasaph is revealed to be the Apology of Aristides in a Greek dress.
Chapter XXII
Eremite proposed by Araches to impersonate Barlaam and discredit Christianity.
Chapter XXIV: The False Barlaam and the Prince's Confession
The man summoned to impersonate Barlaam; he is instructed and captured by Araches.
Chapter XXVI: The Great Debate
Disguised as Barlaam, he is forced to argue for the Christians, but fearing Ioasaph's threat, he decides to champion the truth.
Chapter XXVIII
Delivers a powerful oration defending Christianity, is confronted by Ioasaph, repents, receives baptism, and retreats to the desert.
Chapter XXIX
Nachor is mentioned as having spoken eloquently against the pagan gods, prompting the priests to seek Theudas' help.
XXXII
Mentioned as having previously resorted to the same holy man for guidance.
Chapter XXXVI
Referenced in the context of Barachias's earlier support during the debate with the philosophers.
Chapter XXXVII
Not present in this chapter.

Chapter companion notes

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See Nachor in xii

See Nachor in The Apology of Aristides