# Aulus Plautius — Quo Vadis character guide

> Aulus Plautius in Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Plautius, Aulus, old Aulus, noble Plautius

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

A veteran general who once made British legions tremble, now asked to surrender the foster daughter he raised as his own.

## Who they are

Aulus is a soldier of the old Roman stamp: blunt, loyal, and incapable of a lie, which is exactly why Nero's messenger Hasta fears the frown that once cowed legions. He loves Lygia as a daughter, yet as a hostage she belongs to Caesar, and the order to give her up exposes the gap between Roman honor as he practices it and the court that now commands him. His refusal to lie, even to save her, becomes one of the moral standards against which the novel measures everyone else.

## Relationships

### [Marcus Vinicius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/characters/marcus_vinicius)

_family_

Aulus Plautius is the adoptive father of Lygia and a respected general, who initially distrusts Marcus but later respects his transformation.

### [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/characters/nero)

_rivalry_

Aulus Plautius despises Nero's decadence and tyranny, representing the old Roman virtues that Nero has corrupted.

### [Marcus Vinicius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/characters/marcus_vinicius)

_family_

Aulus Plautius is the adoptive father of Lygia and a respected general, who initially distrusts Marcus but later respects his transformation.

### [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/characters/nero)

_rivalry_

Aulus Plautius despises Nero's decadence and tyranny, representing the old Roman virtues that Nero has corrupted.

### [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/characters/nero)

_rivalry_

Aulus Plautius despises Nero's decadence and tyranny, representing the old Roman virtues that Nero has corrupted.

## In the story

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as the guardian of Lygia; Petronius plans to speak with him.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/chapters/ii)

Interrupts Vinicius and Lygia, speaks of retiring to Sicily, and shows pride in Lygia's Greek learning.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/chapters/iii)

Referenced as Lygia's guardian who considers her a daughter.

### [The Parting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/chapters/iv)

Struggles with helpless rage and sorrow as he is forced to surrender Lygia; suspects Petronius of orchestrating the removal.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/chapters/v)

Seeks aid from Seneca and confronts Vinicius, torn between hope and despair over Lygia's fate.

### [Chapter VI: The Reckoning and the Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/chapters/vi)

Vinicius writes a letter to him, dashing his hopes of Lygia's return, as Petronius suggests consoling him with the promise of a namesake.

### [Chapter VIII: Lygia's Flight and Ursus's Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/chapters/viii)

Lygia refuses to seek refuge with him to avoid Caesar's anger.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/chapters/xi)

Visits the Palatine inquiring about Lygia, leaving a tablet that shows he is unaware of her whereabouts.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/characters/aulus_plautius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/quo_vadis_se/characters