# Gordelpus — Last and First Men character guide

> Gordelpus in Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Gordelpus, the Divine Gordelpus

**First appearance:** 0051-iii-the-fifth-men

## Who they are

A divine or heroic figure worshipped by the Fifth Men, possibly a mythic founder.

## In the story

### [IV: An Americanized Planet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iv-an-americanized-planet)

The divine Prime Mover worshipped by the First Men, demanding constant movement and ritual flight.

### [II: The Dominance of Science](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-the-dominance-of-science)

The divine mystery or secret of science, reputed to allow the utilization of proton-electron energy, central to the legends and the new religious-scientific order.

### [IV: The Culture of the First World State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iv-the-culture-of-the-first-world-state)

The Prime Mover, the deity whose worship dominates the culture, demanding swift and intricate activity.

### [V: Downfall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/v-downfall)

The divine figure Gordelpus is used by the scientists to perform 'miracles' that suppress dissent, but the hoax is eventually exposed, contributing to the collapse.

### [I: The First Dark Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-first-dark-age)

Gordelpus is mentioned as the symbol of the State whose downfall was represented by the Swastika.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/gordelpus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters