# Nachor — Barlaam and Ioasaph character guide

> Nachor in Barlaam and Ioasaph by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0018-xii

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Ioasaph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/characters/ioasaph)

_psychological_

Nachor is a false monk sent to deceive Ioasaph, but he is converted and becomes a tool in the prince's spiritual journey.

### [Barlaam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/characters/barlaam)

_rivalry_

Barlaam exposes Nachor's false piety and defeats him in a theological debate, revealing him as a fraud.

### [Barachias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/characters/barachias)

_rivalry_

Barachias distrusts Nachor and works to expose his deception against Ioasaph.

### [Theudas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/characters/theudas)

_professional_

Nachor and Theudas are both pagan agents employed to oppose Ioasaph's faith, though Nachor later converts.

### [Barlaam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/characters/barlaam)

_rivalry_

Barlaam exposes Nachor's false piety and defeats him in a theological debate, revealing him as a fraud.

### [Ioasaph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/characters/ioasaph)

_psychological_

Nachor is a false monk sent to deceive Ioasaph, but he is converted and becomes a tool in the prince's spiritual journey.

## In the story

### [The Apology of Aristides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/the-apology-of-aristides)

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

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxii)

Eremite proposed by Araches to impersonate Barlaam and discredit Christianity.

### [Chapter XXIV: The False Barlaam and the Prince's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxiv)

The man summoned to impersonate Barlaam; he is instructed and captured by Araches.

### [Chapter XXVI: The Great Debate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxvi)

Disguised as Barlaam, he is forced to argue for the Christians, but fearing Ioasaph's threat, he decides to champion the truth.

### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxviii)

Delivers a powerful oration defending Christianity, is confronted by Ioasaph, repents, receives baptism, and retreats to the desert.

### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxix)

Nachor is mentioned as having spoken eloquently against the pagan gods, prompting the priests to seek Theudas' help.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxxii)

Mentioned as having previously resorted to the same holy man for guidance.

### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Referenced in the context of Barachias's earlier support during the debate with the philosophers.

### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Not present in this chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/characters/nachor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/characters