# Demetrios — Domnei character guide > Demetrios in Domnei by James Branch Cabell. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Demetrios of Anatolia, Messire Demetrios, Bracciolini Demetrios **First appearance:** 0017-viii-how-demetrios-was-amused ## Who they are A powerful heathen king whose desire for Melicent draws him into the tangled warfare of domnei, where even a proconsul's strength may stumble. ## Relationships ### [Perion de la Forêt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/perion_de_la_foret) _rivalry_ Demetrios is Perion's fierce rival, often clashing over honor, power, and Melicent's affections. ### [Ahasuerus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/ahasuerus) _rivalry_ Ahasuerus and Demetrios are uneasy rivals, each pursuing their own agendas that often put them at odds. ### [Melicent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/melicent) _romantic_ Demetrios harbors a possessive romantic desire for Melicent, creating tension with Perion. ### [Perion de la Forêt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/perion_de_la_foret) _rivalry_ Demetrios is Perion's fierce rival, often clashing over honor, power, and Melicent's affections. ### [Perion de la Forêt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/perion_de_la_foret) _rivalry_ Demetrios is Perion's fierce rival, often clashing over honor, power, and Melicent's affections. ### [Ahasuerus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/ahasuerus) _rivalry_ Ahasuerus and Demetrios are uneasy rivals, each pursuing their own agendas that often put them at odds. ### [Ahasuerus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/ahasuerus) _rivalry_ Ahasuerus and Demetrios are uneasy rivals, each pursuing their own agendas that often put them at odds. ### [Melicent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/melicent) _romantic_ Demetrios harbors a possessive romantic desire for Melicent, creating tension with Perion. ### [Melicent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/melicent) _romantic_ Demetrios harbors a possessive romantic desire for Melicent, creating tension with Perion. ## In the story ### [Part II: Melicent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/part-ii-melicent) Demetrios is introduced as a wicked lord of proud degree who dwells in this country and has his mind set on Melicent. ### [How Melicent Sought Oversea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/vi-how-melicent-sought-oversea) Proconsul who captures Perion and holds him captive at Nacumera; grants audience to the disguised Melicent. ### [VII: How Perion Was Freed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/vii-how-perion-was-freed) Demetrios lounges in the Court of Stars, disdainfully rejects Jocelin's ransom, and bargains for a Christian wife, ultimately accepting Melicent's self-offering. ### [How Demetrios Was Amused](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/viii-how-demetrios-was-amused) Demetrios returns from crucifying worshippers and amuses himself by testing Melicent's resolve. He finds her lack of fear intriguing and is amused by her devotion to Perion. ### [IX: How Time Sped in Heathenry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/ix-how-time-sped-in-heathenry) Demetrios scrupulously refuses to touch Melicent, driven by pride and a desire to conquer her love. He threatens Perion with the magic sword Flamberge, but is tricked into leaving it behind. He later kills the victorious admiral after the fleet is repulsed. ### [How Demetrios Wooed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/x-how-demetrios-wooed) Woos Melicent with a harsh, fatalistic philosophy, yet is internally raging over his own infatuation. He treats her kindly but with a sneer, and lavishes her with plundered goods. ### [Part III: Demetrios](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/part-iii-demetrios) Demetrios is depicted as venomous with jealousy, having unhorsed Perion in their mutual struggle. ### [How Time Sped with Perion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xi-how-time-sped-with-perion) Perion's adversary in a prolonged duel; the proconsul wields the magic sword Flamberge. ### [XII: How Demetrios Was Taken](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xii-how-demetrios-was-taken) Captured by Perion, wounded in fair fight, and warns of Callistion's threat to Melicent. ### [XIII: How They Praised Melicent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xiii-how-they-praised-melicent) Praises Melicent with a cynical and possessive tone, describing her as a 'brightly-coloured creature' and admitting his love is mixed with hatred and a desire to destroy her; irritated that she does not consider him worth the trouble. ### [XIV: How Perion Braved Theodoret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xiv-how-perion-braved-theodoret) Brought fettered before Theodoret, sullen and silent, later freed by Perion's demand. ### [How Perion Fought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xv-how-perion-fought) Endures Perion's blow without retaliation to prove his love for Melicent, then escapes to Narenta at Perion's insistence. ### [XVI: How Demetrios Meditated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xvi-how-demetrios-meditated) Demetrios meditates on his hatred for Perion and his love for Melicent, ultimately choosing to return to Theodoret's realm rather than flee. ### [How a Minstrel Came](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xvii-how-a-minstrel-came) Disguises himself as a minstrel to infiltrate the prison and orchestrate Perion's escape, ultimately killing the gaoler Bracciolini. ### [XVIII: How They Cried Quits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xviii-how-they-cried-quits) Frees Perion from prison and arranges their escape; later bargains with Perion to sell the ring for Melicent's sake. ### [How Flamberge Was Lost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xix-how-flamberge-was-lost) Rescued by Euthyclos, gifts Flamberge to Perion, and departs for his own country after an embrace. ### [How Perion Got Aid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xx-how-perion-got-aid) Mentioned as having spoken freely with Mélusine, trusting her. ### [How Demetrios Held His Chattel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xxi-how-demetrios-held-his-chattel) Demetrios holds Melicent in Nacumera, speaks of Perion to win her favor, and stages a deadly fight with his soldiers to prove his skill. ### [XXII: How Misery Held Nacumera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xxii-how-misery-held-nacumera) Demetrios is in a surly rage over the loss of worthy adversaries and the news of Perion's marriage, and he struggles with jealousy and misery. ### [XXIII: How Demetrios Cried Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xxiii-how-demetrios-cried-farewell) Dying from a broken back sustained in battle with Perion, he confesses his lies and his human love for Melicent, ordering her release to Perion. ### [How Orestes Ruled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xxiv-how-orestes-ruled) Found dead, smothered by Orestes; Melicent speaks over his body. ### [XXV: How Women Talked Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xxv-how-women-talked-together) Recently dead; his love for both women is discussed, and his son Diophantus lies murdered. ### [How Ahasuerus Was Candid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xxvii-how-ahasuerus-was-candid) Referenced as a victim of Ahasuerus's betrayal, killed through a sabotaged horse. ### [XXIX: How a Bargain Was Cried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xxix-how-a-bargain-was-cried) Referenced as having built the oratory for Melicent and as a former lord who bargained for her. ### [How Melicent Conquered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xxx-how-melicent-conquered) Demetrios is referenced as having been served by Ahasuerus and as having occupied the divan where Perion cleanses his sword. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/iii) Nicolas touches on the darker side of domnei in depicting Demetrios. ### [Bibliography](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/chapters/bibliography) Referenced in the Italian translation 'La donna di Demetrio'. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters/demetrios - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/domnei_se/characters