# Sepa — Cleopatra character guide > Sepa in Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Sepa the Priest, the honourable Sepa **First appearance:** 0008-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 ## Snapshot High priest of Annu and Harmachis's uncle, a grave custodian of Egypt's old faith who helps shape the prince for his destined revolt. ## Who they are Sepa stands among the elder priests who guard the secret hope of a native Pharaoh and guide Harmachis through the rites that will consecrate him to the task. His authority within the temple network gives the conspiracy its spine, and his counsel weighs on the young prince as both blessing and burden. He represents the ancient Egypt that Harmachis is sworn to restore — and that his nephew's human weakness will ultimately fail. ## Relationships ### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra) _professional_ Sepa is likely a servant or minor courtier, interacting with Cleopatra in a service-oriented capacity. ### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra) _professional_ Sepa is likely a servant or minor courtier, interacting with Cleopatra in a service-oriented capacity. ## In the story ### [Book I: The Preparation of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/book-i-the-preparation-of-harmachis) The priest who raises and trains Harmachis in the mysteries of Isis. ### [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 High Priest who adopted Harmachis and forbade him from hunting lions, though his reasons remain mysterious. ### [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) High Priest of Annu, uncle of Harmachis, who initiates him into the mysteries and reveals the political situation. ### [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) Harmachis's uncle, whom he embraces before departing from Annu. ### [VI: Of the Initiation of Harmachis; Of His Visions; Of His Passing to the City That Is in the Place of Death; and of the Declarations of Isis, the Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vi-of-the-initiation-of-harmachis-of-his-visions-of-his-passing-to-the-city-that-is-in-the-place-of-death-and-of-the-declarations-of-isis-the-messenger) The priest who leads Harmachis into the shrine and conducts the initiation ceremony. ### [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) Uncle of Harmachis, arrives disguised as a traveling doctor; participates in the secret gathering. ### [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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/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) Harmachis's uncle, who has moved to Alexandria to prepare the plot. He accompanies Harmachis during the procession and later embraces him after his victory over the gladiator. ### [Of the Coming of Charmion; and of the Wrath of Sepa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/ii-of-the-coming-of-charmion-and-of-the-wrath-of-sepa) The stern priest and uncle, who berates Charmion for her dress and warns her of dire consequences if she betrays the cause. ### [Of the Coming of Harmachis to the Palace; Of How He Drew Paulus Through the Gates; Of Cleopatra Sleeping; and of the Magic of Harmachis Which He Showed Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iii-of-the-coming-of-harmachis-to-the-palace-of-how-he-drew-paulus-through-the-gates-of-cleopatra-sleeping-and-of-the-magic-of-harmachis-which-he-showed-her) Guides Harmachis to the palace gate and leaves him with prayers for success. ### [Of the Ways of Charmion; and of the Crowning of Harmachis as the King of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iv-of-the-ways-of-charmion-and-of-the-crowning-of-harmachis-as-the-king-of-love) Harmachis's uncle and a priest; meets with Harmachis to coordinate the rebellion. ### [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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/v-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 the leader of the five hundred chosen men waiting to storm the palace. ### [Of the Words and Jealousy of Charmion; Of the Laughter of Harmachis; Of the Making Ready for the Deed of Blood; and of the Message of the Old Wife, Atoua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vi-of-the-words-and-jealousy-of-charmion-of-the-laughter-of-harmachis-of-the-making-ready-for-the-deed-of-blood-and-of-the-message-of-the-old-wife-atoua) Leads the conspirators' meeting; urges Harmachis to proceed with the assassination and orders the murder of Caesarion. ### [VII: Of the Veiled Words of Charmion; Of the Passing of Harmachis Into the Presence of Cleopatra; and of the Overthrow of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vii-of-the-veiled-words-of-charmion-of-the-passing-of-harmachis-into-the-presence-of-cleopatra-and-of-the-overthrow-of-harmachis) Mentioned as lying hid without with his force. ### [VIII: Of the Awaking of Harmachis; Of the Sight of Death; Of the Coming of Cleopatra; and of Her Comfortable Words](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/viii-of-the-awaking-of-harmachis-of-the-sight-of-death-of-the-coming-of-cleopatra-and-of-her-comfortable-words) Mentioned as Harmachis's uncle and a fiery patriot, whose life Cleopatra promises to spare. ### [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) Not directly present; mentioned indirectly through Harmachis's priestly lineage. ### [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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/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) Mentioned as having been tortured to death, proclaiming Harmachis innocent even as he died. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/sepa - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters