# Atoua — Cleopatra character guide > Atoua in Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** old Atoua, the old wife **First appearance:** 0006-ii-of-the-disobedience-of-harmachis-of-the-slaying-of-the-lion-and-of-the-speech-of-the-old-wife-atoua ## Snapshot Harmachis's aged nurse and cunning wise-woman, keeper of old secrets and a steady voice at the edge of his dangerous path. ## Who they are Atoua is the humble figure who laid the golden uraeus on Harmachis's infant brow and has watched over him since, a storehouse of folk wisdom and hidden knowledge. Her loyalty gives the exiled prince a thread of home even as he moves among queens and priests, and her practical cunning serves him in the shadows. She embodies the enduring, patient Egypt that outlasts dynasties — and quietly witnesses the ruin of its last hope. ## Relationships ### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra) _professional_ Atoua serves as Cleopatra's attendant or servant, with a relationship based on duty and proximity. ### [Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/antony) _social_ Antony knows Atoua as part of Cleopatra's household, with a relationship based on casual court interaction. ### [Charmion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/charmion) _friendship_ Atoua and Charmion are fellow servants in Cleopatra's court, with a friendly and cooperative dynamic. ### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra) _professional_ Atoua serves as Cleopatra's attendant or servant, with a relationship based on duty and proximity. ### [Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/antony) _social_ Antony knows Atoua as part of Cleopatra's household, with a relationship based on casual court interaction. ### [Charmion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/charmion) _friendship_ Atoua and Charmion are fellow servants in Cleopatra's court, with a friendly and cooperative dynamic. ## In the story ### [Of the Birth of Harmachis; The Prophecy of the Hathors; and the Slaying of the Innocent Child](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/i-of-the-birth-of-harmachis-the-prophecy-of-the-hathors-and-the-slaying-of-the-innocent-child) Old nurse of Harmachis's mother, who spreads the prophecy despite swearing secrecy. ### [Of the Disobedience of Harmachis; Of the Slaying of the Lion; and of the Speech of the Old Wife, Atoua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/ii-of-the-disobedience-of-harmachis-of-the-slaying-of-the-lion-and-of-the-speech-of-the-old-wife-atoua) The old wife who prophesies over Harmachis after the lion slaying, calling him 'Royal' and 'the Deliverer,' and warning him of the great temptation to come. ### [III: Of the Rebuke of Amenemhat; Of the Prayer of Harmachis; and of the Sign Given by the Holy Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iii-of-the-rebuke-of-amenemhat-of-the-prayer-of-harmachis-and-of-the-sign-given-by-the-holy-gods) The old wife who healed Harmachis's wounds and is revealed to be a prophetess; her words are confirmed by Amenemhat. ### [Of the Departure of Harmachis and of His Meeting with His Uncle Sepa, the High Priest of Annu El Ra; Of His Life at Annu, and of the Words of Sepa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iv-of-the-departure-of-harmachis-and-of-his-meeting-with-his-uncle-sepa-the-high-priest-of-annu-el-ra-of-his-life-at-annu-and-of-the-words-of-sepa) The old wife who throws a sandal after Harmachis for good luck as he departs. ### [V: Of the Return of Harmachis to Abouthis; Of the Celebration of the Mysteries; Of the Chant of Isis; and of the Warning of Amenemhat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/v-of-the-return-of-harmachis-to-abouthis-of-the-celebration-of-the-mysteries-of-the-chant-of-isis-and-of-the-warning-of-amenemhat) The old wife who greets Harmachis warmly upon his return, noting his growth and advising him not to starve himself. ### [VII: Of the Awaking of Harmachis; Of the Ceremony of His Crowning as Pharaoh of the Upper and the Lower Land; and of the Offerings Made to Pharaoh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vii-of-the-awaking-of-harmachis-of-the-ceremony-of-his-crowning-as-pharaoh-of-the-upper-and-the-lower-land-and-of-the-offerings-made-to-pharaoh) The old wife who prepares Harmachis for anointing with water and oil, speaking prophetically of love and destiny. ### [II: Of the Last Misery of Harmachis; Of the Calling Down of the Holy Isis by the Word of Fear; Of the Promise of Isis; Of the Coming of Atoua, and of the Words of Atoua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/ii-of-the-last-misery-of-harmachis-of-the-calling-down-of-the-holy-isis-by-the-word-of-fear-of-the-promise-of-isis-of-the-coming-of-atoua-and-of-the-words-of-atoua) The old nurse arrives at dawn, discovers Amenemhat's corpse, and initially accuses Harmachis of murder before recognizing him. ### [III: Of the Life of Him Who Was Named the Learned Olympus, in the Tomb of the Harpers That Is by Tápé; Of His Counsel to Cleopatra; Of the Message of Charmion; and of the Passing of Olympus Down to Alexandria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iii-of-the-life-of-him-who-was-named-the-learned-olympus-in-the-tomb-of-the-harpers-that-is-by-t-p-of-his-counsel-to-cleopatra-of-the-message-of-charmion-and-of-the-passing-of-olympus-down-to-alexandria) The old wife who faithfully ministers to Harmachis during his eight-year seclusion in the tomb. ### [IV: Of the Meeting of Charmion with the Learned Olympus; Of Her Speech with Him; Of the Coming of Olympus Into the Presence of Cleopatra; and of the Commands of Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iv-of-the-meeting-of-charmion-with-the-learned-olympus-of-her-speech-with-him-of-the-coming-of-olympus-into-the-presence-of-cleopatra-and-of-the-commands-of-cleopatra) The aged servant who has remained loyal to Harmachis during his nine years of solitude; she attends him in the guest-chamber. ### [Of the Drawing Forth of Antony from the Timonium Back to Cleopatra; Of the Feast Made by Cleopatra; and of the Manner of the Death of Eudosius the Steward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/v-of-the-drawing-forth-of-antony-from-the-timonium-back-to-cleopatra-of-the-feast-made-by-cleopatra-and-of-the-manner-of-the-death-of-eudosius-the-steward) Assists Harmachis in preparing the deadly poison for the wreath. ### [Of the Surrender of the Troops and Fleet of Antony Before the Canopic Gate; Of the End of Antony, and of the Brewing of the Draught of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vii-of-the-surrender-of-the-troops-and-fleet-of-antony-before-the-canopic-gate-of-the-end-of-antony-and-of-the-brewing-of-the-draught-of-death) Helps brew the poison and brings healing draughts for Antony. ### [IX: Of the Farewell of Charmion; Of the Death of Charmion; Of the Death of the Old Wife, Atoua; Of the Coming of Harmachis to Abouthis; Of His Confession in the Hall of Six-and-Thirty Pillars; and of the Declaring of the Doom of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/ix-of-the-farewell-of-charmion-of-the-death-of-charmion-of-the-death-of-the-old-wife-atoua-of-the-coming-of-harmachis-to-abouthis-of-his-confession-in-the-hall-of-six-and-thirty-pillars-and-of-the-declaring-of-the-doom-of-harmachis) Atoua dies peacefully after learning of Cleopatra's death, declaring her desire fulfilled. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/endnotes) Atoua's saying about papyrus is explained. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/atoua - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters