# Synesius — Hypatia character guide

> Synesius in Hypatia by Charles Kingsley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Synesius of Cyrene

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-the-goths

## Snapshot

A bishop and philosopher of overflowing kindliness and racy humor, the one Christian Raphael ever heard laugh heartily, forever bridging two worlds.

## Who they are

Synesius receives the restless Raphael with patient good humor, ferreting out a secret his guest is too proud to confess, forgetting his own melancholy the moment he finds someone to help. A magniloquent, self-conceited man who married, loved, and lost, he is prouder of his muddled speculations than his practical gifts. His house becomes a rare meeting ground where pagan and Christian can speak honestly, making him a hinge between the novel's warring camps.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Raphael and Synesius share a deep intellectual friendship, debating philosophy and theology with mutual respect and affection.

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

_friendship_

Raphael and Synesius share a deep intellectual friendship, debating philosophy and theology with mutual respect and affection.

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

_friendship_

Raphael and Synesius share a deep intellectual friendship, debating philosophy and theology with mutual respect and affection.

## In the story

### [XXI: The Squire-Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxi-the-squire-bishop)

The Bishop of Cyrene, grieving the loss of his last child and his homeland, yet still hospitable and eager to help Raphael.

### [XXVII: The Prodigal's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxvii-the-prodigal-s-return)

Mentioned as one of the two bishops who helped arrange Raphael's marriage, acting as a matchmaker.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/endnotes)

Author of an authentic letter to Hypatia.

## Links

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