# Norbanus — Beric the Briton character guide

> Norbanus in Beric the Briton by G. A. Henty.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0013-xii-a-school-for-gladiators

## Snapshot

A Roman official and gladiatorial-school master whose calm hides a father's desperation to save his daughter from Nero's circle.

## Who they are

Norbanus runs the ludus where Beric trains, and his household becomes the Briton's refuge from palace intrigue. When Lesbia pushes a marriage to the profligate Rufinus Sulla, Norbanus quietly offers Aemilia to Beric instead, weighing obligation against affection. His steady pragmatism forces Beric to name his love and confront how little a captive's future can promise.

## Relationships

### [Beric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/beric)

_rivalry_

Norbanus is a Roman official and adversary of Beric, representing the oppressive imperial system.

### [Lesbia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/lesbia)

_social_

Lesbia is a Roman socialite and acquaintance of Norbanus, moving in the same aristocratic circles.

### [Aemilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/aemilia)

_social_

Aemilia and Norbanus move in the same Roman social circles, but their relationship is strained by differing loyalties.

### [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/nero)

_professional_

Nero is the emperor and Norbanus is his subordinate official, serving the imperial will.

### [Beric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/beric)

_rivalry_

Norbanus is a Roman official and adversary of Beric, representing the oppressive imperial system.

### [Beric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/beric)

_rivalry_

Norbanus is a Roman official and adversary of Beric, representing the oppressive imperial system.

### [Aemilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/aemilia)

_social_

Aemilia and Norbanus move in the same Roman social circles, but their relationship is strained by differing loyalties.

### [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/nero)

_professional_

Nero is the emperor and Norbanus is his subordinate official, serving the imperial will.

### [Lesbia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/lesbia)

_social_

Lesbia is a Roman socialite and acquaintance of Norbanus, moving in the same aristocratic circles.

### [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/nero)

_professional_

Nero is the emperor and Norbanus is his subordinate official, serving the imperial will.

### [Lesbia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/lesbia)

_social_

Lesbia is a Roman socialite and acquaintance of Norbanus, moving in the same aristocratic circles.

## In the story

### [A Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xi-a-prisoner)

Hosts Beric on the ship, engages him in philosophical discussion about religion and customs.

### [XIV: Rome in Flames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xiv-rome-in-flames)

A magistrate whom Beric aids in moving his goods to safety as the fire approaches his house.

### [XV: The Christians to the Lions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xv-the-christians-to-the-lions)

Present in the audience with his family; leaves after Ennia is saved.

### [In Nero's Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xvi-in-nero-s-palace)

Hosts Beric at his home; agrees with Beric's policy of avoiding political discussion.

### [Betrothal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xvii-betrothal)

Norbanus is disturbed by Lesbia's proposal to marry Aemilia to Rufinus Sulla, and instead offers Aemilia's hand to Beric.

### [The Outbreak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xviii-the-outbreak)

Aemilia's father, approves of Beric's actions and sends gold to aid the escape.

### [Outlaws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xix-outlaws)

Reported dead by his own hand after opening his veins; his property confiscated by Nero.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/norbanus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters