# Miriam — Hypatia character guide

> Miriam in Hypatia by Charles Kingsley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Miriam, Old Miriam, old Jewess, The Jewess

**First appearance:** 0006-iv-miriam

## Snapshot

A fawning, gold-coined old Jewess whose glittering black eyes fix Hypatia with a power she cannot shake off, bearing sealed letters between the powerful.

## Who they are

Miriam moves through Alexandria's intrigues as a go-between, delivering Orestes' secret correspondence to Hypatia with obeisances that never lower her gaze. Her haggard face and basilisk stare unnerve even the philosopher, who shudders at a parting glance she cannot explain. That uneasy hold over the proud pagan hints at deeper designs, making the old woman a quiet engine of the city's dangerous politics.

## Relationships

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

_psychological_

Miriam manipulates and uses Philammon as a tool in her schemes, often controlling his actions and information.

### [Raphael Aben-Ezra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/raphael_aben_ezra)

_family_

Miriam is Raphael's mother, and their relationship is fraught with tension over his conversion and her manipulative nature.

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

_psychological_

Miriam manipulates and uses Philammon as a tool in her schemes, often controlling his actions and information.

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

_psychological_

Miriam manipulates and uses Philammon as a tool in her schemes, often controlling his actions and information.

### [Raphael Aben-Ezra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/raphael_aben_ezra)

_family_

Miriam is Raphael's mother, and their relationship is fraught with tension over his conversion and her manipulative nature.

### [Raphael Aben-Ezra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/raphael_aben_ezra)

_family_

Miriam is Raphael's mother, and their relationship is fraught with tension over his conversion and her manipulative nature.

## In the story

### [IV: Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/iv-miriam)

Delivers Orestes' letter to Hypatia, reveals her manipulative nature and political scheming, and gives Raphael a protective ring.

### [VI: The New Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/vi-the-new-diogenes)

Desperately tries to warn Raphael and save her wealth. She is frantic and emotional, revealing a deep, unexplained connection to him.

### [Nephelococcugia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xv-nephelococcugia)

Confronts Hypatia with the Rainbow of Solomon ring, alluding to a past offer from Raphael.

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

Mentioned as the possible guardian of Philammon's sister; her whereabouts are unknown.

### [XIX: Jews Against Christians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xix-jews-against-christians)

Reveals her knowledge of Philammon's quest and uses her power over him, hinting that Pelagia is his sister and demanding his obedience.

### [XXIII: Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxiii-nemesis)

Fled and is being sought by Orestes, who believes she betrayed him.

### [Lost Lambs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxiv-lost-lambs)

Scheming to keep Pelagia with the Goth, she mocks the Christian doctrine and offers a more pragmatic path.

### [XXVI: Miriam's Plot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxvi-miriam-s-plot)

Executes her plot to corrupt Philammon, using wine, music, and flattery to lure him away from his ascetic ideals.

### [XXVIII: Woman's Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxviii-woman-s-love)

Warns Pelagia of the plot against her, showing her continued involvement in the city's intrigues.

### [XXIX: Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxix-nemesis)

Blocks Philammon's path to Pelagia, revealing her past as a nun and her determination to protect the girl.

### [XXX: Every Man to His Own Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxx-every-man-to-his-own-place)

Returns to Raphael and reveals herself as his mother, offering him her wealth and affection.

## Links

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