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Leviathan · Character

Pontifex Maximus

Title for the chief priest of ancient Rome, later used by the Pope.

minor

Also known as the Pontifex Maximus

First appearance: part i of man

Pontifex Maximus shows up with force in Of the Benefit That Proceedeth from Such Darkness, and to Whom It Accrueth. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Noted as a title originally held by an officer subject to the civil state, later appropriated by the Pope to claim authority.
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In Of the Benefit That Proceedeth from Such Darkness, and to Whom It Accrueth: Noted as a title originally held by an officer subject to…

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See Pontifex Maximus in part i of man

Character Web

3 connections

A slice of how Pontifex Maximus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

JCJulius CaesarPZPope ZacharyPEPeterPMPontifex Maximus

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Historical and theological exemplars
  • Biblical and religious leaders
  • Early Christian and adversarial figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it reveals the sovereign's right to punish is not a gift from subj…

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In the story

Pontifex Maximus appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Pontifex Maximus in part i of man