# Raphael Aben-Ezra — Hypatia character guide > Raphael Aben-Ezra in Hypatia by Charles Kingsley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Raphael, Aben-Ezra, Ezra, Raphael the Jew **First appearance:** 0005-iii-the-goths ## Snapshot A wealthy, sardonic Jewish merchant whose sharp pen and sharper tongue made even bishops wary, and whose departure leaves Hypatia's cause rudderless. ## Who they are Raphael Aben-Ezra moves through Alexandria as a man whose reputation for wit and mockery precedes him, dreaded by the Philistines even more than the chivalrous Bishop of Cyrene. Hypatia regards him as the one truly unfathomable mind among her followers, a man whose absence scatters a thousand of her plans for reviving the old gods. His wealth, his restlessness, and his refusal to be anyone's instrument make him a pivot on which the city's tangled loyalties turn. ## Relationships ### [Synesius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/synesius) _friendship_ Raphael and Synesius share a deep intellectual friendship, debating philosophy and theology with mutual respect and affection. ### [Hypatia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/hypatia) _romantic_ Hypatia and Raphael share a deep mutual admiration and intellectual attraction, though their romance is complicated by their differing beliefs. ### [Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/miriam) _family_ Miriam is Raphael's mother, and their relationship is fraught with tension over his conversion and her manipulative nature. ### [God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/god) _psychological_ Raphael's relationship with God is one of skeptical inquiry and eventual faith, as he moves from cynicism to belief. ### [Orestes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/orestes) _friendship_ Orestes and Raphael share a friendship based on mutual intellectual respect and political cooperation against Cyril's influence. ### [Synesius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/synesius) _friendship_ Raphael and Synesius share a deep intellectual friendship, debating philosophy and theology with mutual respect and affection. ### [God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/god) _psychological_ Raphael's relationship with God is one of skeptical inquiry and eventual faith, as he moves from cynicism to belief. ### [Orestes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/orestes) _friendship_ Orestes and Raphael share a friendship based on mutual intellectual respect and political cooperation against Cyril's influence. ### [Hypatia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/hypatia) _romantic_ Hypatia and Raphael share a deep mutual admiration and intellectual attraction, though their romance is complicated by their differing beliefs. ### [Synesius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/synesius) _friendship_ Raphael and Synesius share a deep intellectual friendship, debating philosophy and theology with mutual respect and affection. ### [Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/miriam) _family_ Miriam is Raphael's mother, and their relationship is fraught with tension over his conversion and her manipulative nature. ### [Hypatia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/hypatia) _romantic_ Hypatia and Raphael share a deep mutual admiration and intellectual attraction, though their romance is complicated by their differing beliefs. ## In the story ### [Hypatia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/hypatia) A skeptical Jew who engages with Hypatia's philosophy, embodying the tension between faith and reason. ### [II: The Dying World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/ii-the-dying-world) Informs Orestes of Heraclian's rebellion, displays a calm and threatening demeanor when provoked. ### [IV: Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/iv-miriam) Advises Orestes against apostasy, interacts with Miriam, and receives a magical ring from her. ### [VI: The New Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/vi-the-new-diogenes) Decides to abandon his wealth and position, embracing a beggar's life. He is torn between his cynicism and his growing feelings for Hypatia, ultimately choosing to leave Alexandria. ### [VII: Those by Whom Offences Come](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/vii-those-by-whom-offences-come) Though not present in the chapter, his earlier interaction with Philammon haunts the young monk, highlighting the contrast between worldly grace and spiritual simplicity. ### [VIII: The East Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/viii-the-east-wind) Mentioned as the object of Hypatia's thoughts, causing her distraction. ### [The Bottom of the Abyss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xiii-the-bottom-of-the-abyss) Raphael is in a state of profound nihilism, having 'landed at the very bottom of the bottomless.' He questions the existence of self, reality, and meaning, yet finds himself drawn to the officer's daughter's innocence and faith. ### [A Stray Gleam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xvii-a-stray-gleam) Experiences a fleeting moment of faith inspired by the Prefect's family, but his hope is crushed by a disagreement, leading him to abandon his newfound belief and depart. ### [XXI: The Squire-Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxi-the-squire-bishop) Visits Synesius seeking comfort, but is moody and evasive, hinting at a dream and his disillusionment with philosophy and Hypatia. ### [XXVII: The Prodigal's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxvii-the-prodigal-s-return) Returns to Alexandria as a changed man, having converted to Christianity. He desperately tries to save Hypatia from danger and shares his new faith with her. ### [XXIX: Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxix-nemesis) Warns Philammon and later commands him to flee; seeks Miriam's lodging. ### [XXX: Every Man to His Own Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxx-every-man-to-his-own-place) Consumed by guilt and self-reproach, he awaits Miriam to make amends for his past sins. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/raphael_aben_ezra - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters