Cleopatra · Character

Brennus

A Gallic captain of Cleopatra's guard whose blunt courage and sense of fair play cut through the palace's intrigue and cruelty.

supporting

Also known as the Captain Brennus

First appearance: i of the farewell of amenemhat to harmachis of the coming of harmachis to alexandria of the exhortation of sepa of the passing of cleopatra robed as isis and of the overthrow of the gladiator by harmachis

As a supporting figure in Cleopatra, Brennus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as a friend of Harmachis who is on the list of those to be killed in the coup.

In the storyOf the Coming of Cleopatra to the Chamber of Harmachis; Of the Throwing Forth of the Kerchief of Charmion; Of the Stars; and of the Gift by Cleopatra of Her Friendship to Her Servant HarmachisOpen this moment free

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Brennus commands the Queen's foreign guards, a rough soldier in a court of eunuchs and schemers. When Harmachis fights desperately in the hall, Brennus is the one who, once felled, rises to admire the man and beg for his life rather than see him butchered. His loyalty is to bravery itself, and his presence gives the early Alexandria chapters a code of honor against which the Queen's coldness is measured.

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See Brennus in i of the farewell of amenemhat to harmachis of the coming of harmachis to alexandria of the exhortation of sepa of the passing of cleopatra robed as isis and of the overthrow of the gladiator by harmachis

Character Web

8 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Egyptian loyalists and Romans
Protagonist
Minor characters and deities

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Cleopatra, in…

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In the story

Brennus appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Of the Coming of Cleopatra to the Chamber of Harmachis; Of the Throwing Forth of the Kerchief of Charmion; Of the Stars; and of the Gift by Cleopatra of Her Friendship to Her Servant Harmachis
Mentioned as a friend of Harmachis who is on the list of those to be killed in the coup.
XIII: Of the Reproach of Harmachis; Of the Struggle of Harmachis with the Guards; Of the Blow of Brennus; and of the Secret Speech of Cleopatra
Captain of the guard; struck down by Harmachis but later delivers the blow that knocks Harmachis unconscious.
XIV: Of the Tender Care of Charmion; Of the Healing of Harmachis; Of the Sailing of the Fleet of Cleopatra for Cilicia; and of the Speech of Brennus to Harmachis
The soldier who wounded Harmachis; he expresses regret and offers to help Harmachis escape to the North, but Harmachis declines.
XVI: Of the Plan of Charmion; Of the Confession of Charmion; and of the Answer of Harmachis
Officer of the guard who, though feigning sleep, helps arrange Harmachis's escape by providing the password 'Antony'.
I: Of the Escape of Harmachis from Tarsus; Of His Being Cast Forth as an Offering to the Gods of the Sea; Of His Sojourn in the Isle of Cyprus; Of His Return to Abouthis; and of the Death of Amenemhat
Helps Harmachis escape from Tarsus by providing the password and later spreads a false story about Harmachis flying to heaven.

Chapter companion notes

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