# Olympus — Cleopatra character guide

> Olympus in Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Olympus the Egyptian

**First appearance:** 0032-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

## Snapshot

A learned Egyptian physician whose knowledge of poisons makes him both Cleopatra's instrument and, secretly, the agent of her doom.

## Who they are

Olympus moves between the palace and the shadows, summoned when the Queen wishes to study death or procure it. He watches Cleopatra test lethal draughts on slaves with a mixture of horror and cold satisfaction, knowing his own hand may one day mix her final cup. His skill and his hidden allegiance make him indispensable to the story's machinery of vengeance and royal desperation.

## Relationships

### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra)

_professional_

Olympus is Cleopatra's physician, providing medical care and counsel with professional loyalty.

### [Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/antony)

_social_

Antony interacts with Olympus as a court physician, maintaining a respectful but informal acquaintance.

### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra)

_professional_

Olympus is Cleopatra's physician, providing medical care and counsel with professional loyalty.

### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra)

_professional_

Olympus is Cleopatra's physician, providing medical care and counsel with professional loyalty.

### [Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/antony)

_social_

Antony interacts with Olympus as a court physician, maintaining a respectful but informal acquaintance.

### [Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/antony)

_social_

Antony interacts with Olympus as a court physician, maintaining a respectful but informal acquaintance.

## In the story

### [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/author-s-note)

Cleopatra's physician, who is suggested to have advised her on the method of her suicide by poison.

### [Book II: The Fall of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/book-ii-the-fall-of-harmachis)

The identity Harmachis adopts after escaping, as a hermit who counsels Cleopatra.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/olympus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters