# Wulf — Hypatia character guide

> Wulf in Hypatia by Charles Kingsley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Prince Wulf, Old Wulf, old Wulf, Wulf the Prince

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

## Snapshot

A scarred, bristly old Gothic prince who lays his purse at Hypatia's feet in open homage, honoring in her something his own rough warriors cannot name.

## Who they are

Wulf sits through Hypatia's oration with twinkling approval, then stuns the crowd by paying her a fee and blessing her as a mother of kings. His reverence for her wisdom plants a baffling question in Pelagia's heart: what has this coarse old warrior recognized that she, the perfect dancer, cannot see? His honest homage becomes a mirror in which the novel's pagans and Goths measure what they lack.

## Relationships

### [Amalric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/amalric)

_rivalry_

Amalric and Wulf are rival Gothic chieftains, competing for power, influence, and control over their warbands.

### [Pelagia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/pelagia)

_romantic_

Pelagia and Wulf share a passionate, stormy romance, with Wulf deeply devoted to her despite her capriciousness.

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

_rivalry_

Philammon and Wulf clash over Pelagia's affections and their opposing worldviews—Christian asceticism versus Gothic warrior values.

### [Smid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/smid)

_professional_

Smid is Wulf's loyal lieutenant and companion, serving him in battle and counsel.

### [Amalric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/amalric)

_rivalry_

Amalric and Wulf are rival Gothic chieftains, competing for power, influence, and control over their warbands.

### [Amalric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/amalric)

_rivalry_

Amalric and Wulf are rival Gothic chieftains, competing for power, influence, and control over their warbands.

### [Smid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/smid)

_professional_

Smid is Wulf's loyal lieutenant and companion, serving him in battle and counsel.

### [Pelagia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/pelagia)

_romantic_

Pelagia and Wulf share a passionate, stormy romance, with Wulf deeply devoted to her despite her capriciousness.

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

_rivalry_

Philammon and Wulf clash over Pelagia's affections and their opposing worldviews—Christian asceticism versus Gothic warrior values.

### [Pelagia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/pelagia)

_romantic_

Pelagia and Wulf share a passionate, stormy romance, with Wulf deeply devoted to her despite her capriciousness.

### [Smid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/smid)

_professional_

Smid is Wulf's loyal lieutenant and companion, serving him in battle and counsel.

## In the story

### [III: The Goths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/iii-the-goths)

Old grizzled warrior who claims Philammon as his man, seeing potential in him despite his apparent cowardice.

### [A Day in Alexandria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/v-a-day-in-alexandria)

Parts ways with Philammon, offering to make him a warrior, and later dismisses him with a sense of disappointment.

### [The Bower of Acrasia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xii-the-bower-of-acrasia)

The old Gothic prince, he tells a saga about the Longbeards and criticizes the current softness of his people, contrasting their past valor with their present decadence.

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

Protects Philammon from the pursuing monks, using his whip to drive them away.

### [XVIII: The Prefect Tested](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xviii-the-prefect-tested)

Plots with Smid to remove Orestes and marry Hypatia to Amalric. He saves Orestes from the mob and takes Philammon under his protection.

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

Discusses plans with the Amal, showing his loyalty and concern for Pelagia's fate.

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

Fights Philammon and falls with him from the tower.

## Links

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