# Pomponia Graecina — Quo Vadis character guide

> Pomponia Graecina in Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pomponia, Graecina, the good Pomponia

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

Aulus's wife and Lygia's foster mother, she practices a forbidden faith quietly enough that even her household only half-guesses.

## Who they are

Pomponia is the good Roman matron whose real allegiance lies with Christ, a secret she keeps for the sake of her family and her church. She taught Lygia the faith and loves her as a daughter, yet when Caesar claims the girl she can only cling to her and cry that death would be better. Her hidden Christianity makes the Plautius household the novel's first bridge between old Rome and the new faith, and her separation from Lygia gives the persecution its intimate cost.

## In the story

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

Mentioned as the virtuous wife of Aulus Plautius who raised Lygia.

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

Receives Petronius's compliments, speaks of domestic quiet, and is noted for her unusual freshness and dark robes.

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

Mentioned for her mourning of Julius and her Christian beliefs.

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

Comforts Lygia with Christian teachings about suffering, resurrection, and the power of mercy; arranges for faithful servants to accompany her.

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

Awaits news with Aulus, hoping for Lygia's return.

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

Lygia's concern for her safety prevents her from returning home.

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

Mentioned as a virtuous matron who worships a foreign god, linking her to Lygia's faith.

## Links

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