# Pontifex Maximus — Leviathan character guide

> Pontifex Maximus in Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Pontifex Maximus

**First appearance:** 0003-part-i-of-man

## Who they are

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

## In the story

### [Of the Benefit That Proceedeth from Such Darkness, and to Whom It Accrueth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xlvii-of-the-benefit-that-proceedeth-from-such-darkness-and-to-whom-it-accrueth)

Noted as a title originally held by an officer subject to the civil state, later appropriated by the Pope to claim authority.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/characters/pontifex_maximus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/characters