# Abednego Danner — Gladiator character guide

> Abednego Danner in Gladiator by Philip Wylie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Abednego, Professor Danner, Mr. Danner, Mr. H. Danner

**First appearance:** 0001-gladiator

## Who they are

A mild college biologist in Indian Creek, Abednego Danner bends chromosomes toward a private experiment that will remake his own household.

## Relationships

### [Hugo Danner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/hugo_danner)

_family_

Abednego Danner is Hugo's father, a scientist whose experiments gave Hugo his powers, creating a complex bond of pride and guilt.

### [Hugo Danner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/hugo_danner)

_family_

Abednego Danner is Hugo's father, a scientist whose experiments gave Hugo his powers, creating a complex bond of pride and guilt.

### [Hugo Danner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/hugo_danner)

_family_

Abednego Danner is Hugo's father, a scientist whose experiments gave Hugo his powers, creating a complex bond of pride and guilt.

## In the story

### [Gladiator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/gladiator)

Hugo's father, a professor whose secret experiment gave Hugo his powers; his legacy haunts Hugo.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/i)

Professor of biology obsessed with creating superhuman strength through chemical means; succeeds with tadpoles and a kitten, then destroys his work.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/ii)

The professor learns of his wife's pregnancy and secretly decides to inject her with his experimental serum, drugging her with an opiate-laced cordial to carry out the procedure.

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

The professor secretly experiments on his son, creating superhuman strength. He defends his actions to his wife, prophesying Hugo's greatness, but leaves discipline to her and watches the child furtively.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/iv)

Hugo's father, who listens to his son's confession, witnesses his jump, and begins to explain the biology behind Hugo's powers, showing rare firmness against his wife.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/v)

Hugo's father, who is hurt but silent about Hugo's decision to attend a different college than his own.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/ix)

Referenced as the subject of Woodman's investigation; his theories on cellular biochemistry are implied to be the source of Hugo's powers.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/xvi)

Hugo's father; Hugo transfers his entire fortune to him.

### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/xix)

Hugo's father, who is sick and failing rapidly, prompting Hugo to leave the farm.

### [The Burden of the Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/xx)

On his deathbed, entrusts Hugo with the six notebooks containing the secret of his superhuman creation, expressing pride and hope for Hugo's future.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/chapters/xxi)

Dies and is buried; his will leaves the bulk of his estate to Hugo.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/abednego_danner
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters