# Don Balthazar de Zúñiga — Gil Blas character guide

> Don Balthazar de Zúñiga in Gil Blas by Alain-René Lesage.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Don Balthazar, Señor Don Balthazar de Zúñiga, Señor de Zúñiga

**First appearance:** 0040-ix

## Who they are

A powerful minister and rival to the Duke of Lerma.

## In the story

### [Book IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-ix)

Mentioned as a figure of influence at court.

### [Book XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-xi)

Influential figure at court.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/iii)

Uncle of the Count of Olivarez; agrees to support Gil Blas after Navarro's recommendation.

### [Gil Blas Ingratiates Himself with the Count of Olivarez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as having given a summary of Gil Blas's adventures to the minister.

### [Chapter V: The Private Conversation of Gil Blas with Navarro, and His First Employment in the Service of the Count d'Olivarez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as the uncle of the Count of Olivarez and a key figure in court politics; Navarro advises Gil Blas to maintain his favor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters/don_balthazar_de_zuniga
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters