# Quintus Dellius — Cleopatra character guide

> Quintus Dellius in Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dellius, noble Dellius, the crafty Dellius

**First appearance:** 0021-ix-of-the-imprisonment-of-harmachis-of-the-scorn-of-charmion-of-the-setting-free-of-harmachis-and-of-the-coming-of-quintus-dellius

## Snapshot

Antony's silken-tongued ambassador, a Roman diplomat whose polished flattery conceals the shifting loyalties of a man who serves whoever rises.

## Who they are

Dellius arrives in Alexandria bearing Antony's letters and immediately performs the courtier's art, feigning speechless awe before Cleopatra's throne. He is described as false-eyed and ever-serving the rising star, a man whose compliments are as calculated as his politics. His embassy draws Cleopatra toward the Roman alliance that will define her middle arc, and his smooth duplicity sets the tone for the dangerous diplomacy to come.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Quintus Dellius is a Roman diplomat or envoy, dealing with Cleopatra in political negotiations.

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

_professional_

Quintus Dellius is a Roman diplomat or envoy, dealing with Cleopatra in political negotiations.

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

_professional_

Quintus Dellius is a Roman diplomat or envoy, dealing with Cleopatra in political negotiations.

## In the story

### [Of the Imprisonment of Harmachis; Of the Scorn of Charmion; Of the Setting Free of Harmachis; and of the Coming of Quintus Dellius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/ix-of-the-imprisonment-of-harmachis-of-the-scorn-of-charmion-of-the-setting-free-of-harmachis-and-of-the-coming-of-quintus-dellius)

Arrives as Antony's envoy, delivers summons to Cleopatra, flatters her.

### [X: Of the Trouble of Cleopatra; Of Her Oath to Harmachis; and of the Telling by Harmachis to Cleopatra of the Secret of the Treasure That Lay Beneath the Mass of "Her"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/x-of-the-trouble-of-cleopatra-of-her-oath-to-harmachis-and-of-the-telling-by-harmachis-to-cleopatra-of-the-secret-of-the-treasure-that-lay-beneath-the-mass-of-her)

Mentioned as the messenger from Antony; Cleopatra considers sending him back with sharp words.

### [XII: Of the Coming Back of Harmachis; Of the Greeting of Charmion; and of the Answer of Cleopatra to Quintus Dellius, the Ambassador of Antony the Triumvir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/xii-of-the-coming-back-of-harmachis-of-the-greeting-of-charmion-and-of-the-answer-of-cleopatra-to-quintus-dellius-the-ambassador-of-antony-the-triumvir)

Antony's ambassador, delivers a message to Cleopatra and receives her ambiguous reply; mocks Harmachis in court.

## Links

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