# Arsenius — Hypatia character guide

> Arsenius in Hypatia by Charles Kingsley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the good Arsenius, poor Arsenius

**First appearance:** 0003-i-the-laura

## Snapshot

A Christian monk and former tutor who fled to the desert, yet finds the world's affairs and old pupils pulling him back toward Alexandria.

## Who they are

Arsenius belongs to the ascetic communities whose prayers and renunciations shadow the city's feuds, remembered by former students as 'the good Arsenius.' His retreat from the world is never quite complete; the ties of tutelage and conscience keep drawing him toward the very conflicts he fled. He stands as the novel's emblem of withdrawal tested against obligation, a quiet counterweight to Hypatia's worldly philosophy.

## Relationships

### [Philammon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/philammon)

_family_

Arsenius is Philammon's father, and their relationship is one of estrangement and eventual reconciliation, with Arsenius trying to guide his son.

### [Philammon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/philammon)

_family_

Arsenius is Philammon's father, and their relationship is one of estrangement and eventual reconciliation, with Arsenius trying to guide his son.

### [Philammon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/philammon)

_family_

Arsenius is Philammon's father, and their relationship is one of estrangement and eventual reconciliation, with Arsenius trying to guide his son.

## In the story

### [I: The Laura](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/i-the-laura)

A holy man who once tutored Emperor Arcadius, now living in the desert, warns Philammon of the world's corruption.

### [XI: The Laura Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xi-the-laura-again)

A former man of the world, now a monk, who is haunted by memories of his past and craves deeper solitude, but is challenged by Pambo's wisdom.

### [XVI: Venus and Pallas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xvi-venus-and-pallas)

Reveals to Philammon that he brought him from Athens and that he has a sister; seeks to protect Philammon from the influence of Hypatia.

### [XX: She Stoops to Conquer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xx-she-stoops-to-conquer)

The good Arsenius, though troubled by Cyril's unrighteous tactics, submits to the bishop's will, recognizing the political necessity but lamenting the moral cost.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/arsenius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters