# The Sea Tsar — Russian Folktales character guide > The Sea Tsar in Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Tsar, the Tsar **First appearance:** 0057-the-sea-tsar-and-vasil-sa-the-wise ## Snapshot Sovereign of the underwater realm, who summons drowned heroes back to life and sets impossible tasks for those who would marry into his depths. ## Who they are The Sea Tsar rules a drowned kingdom of ships and sunken cities, and his favor can restore a dead daughter to her father's arms. He tests mortals with labors that require both cunning and humility, and his daughter's hand is the prize. His court is where the tale's riddles and transformations find their proper stage. ## In the story ### [The Tale of the Silver Saucer and the Crystal Apple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tale-of-the-silver-saucer-and-the-crystal-apple) The ruler who witnesses the magic of the saucer, pardons the sisters, and marries the revived maiden. ### [The Foundling Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-foundling-prince) The father who loses his son and later tests the foundling with a riddle. ### [The Tsarítsa Harpist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tsar-tsa-harpist) Imprisoned by the Accursed King, forced to plough; writes to his wife for rescue; later condemns her before learning the truth. ### [The Tale of Iván Tsarévich, the Bird of Light, and the Grey Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tale-of-iv-n-tsar-vich-the-bird-of-light-and-the-grey-wolf) Tsar Výslav Andrónovich, father of Iván and his brothers, who sends his sons to capture the Bird of Light. ### [The Tale of Iván Tsarévich, the Bird of Light, and the Grey Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tale-of-iv-n-tsar-vich-the-bird-of-light-and-the-grey-wolf) Tsar Dolmát, who captures Iván and demands the golden-maned horse as ransom for the Bird of Light. ### [The Tale of Iván Tsarévich, the Bird of Light, and the Grey Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tale-of-iv-n-tsar-vich-the-bird-of-light-and-the-grey-wolf) Tsar Afrón, who demands Princess Eléna in exchange for the golden-maned horse. ### [The Priest with the Envious Eyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-priest-with-the-envious-eyes) Ruler of the kingdom where the princess is ill; offers reward for her cure and threatens execution for failure. ### [The Soldier and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-soldier-and-death) The ruler who tests the soldier by sending him to the haunted palace and later becomes ill. ### [The Midnight Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-midnight-dance) The Accursed Tsar who hosts the princesses in his subterranean realm for nightly dances. ### [Vasilísa the Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/vasil-sa-the-fair) The ruler who marries Vasilísa after admiring her fine linen and her beauty. ### [The Princess Who Would Not Smile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-princess-who-would-not-smile) The father of the princess who promises her hand to whoever makes her smile. ### [The Tsarévich and Dyád’ka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tsar-vich-and-dy-d-ka) The Tsarévich's greedy father who imprisons the Woodsprite, exiles his son, and later offers his daughter's hand to the monster's slayer. ### [Prince Evstáfi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/prince-evst-fi) Angry father who condemns his son to hanging for his charitable ways, but is humbled by the prince's lesson. ### [Vasilísa Popóvna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/vasil-sa-pop-vna) Tsar Bárkhat, the king who tests Vasilísa to determine her gender, is repeatedly outwitted. ### [The Soldier and the Tsar in the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-soldier-and-the-tsar-in-the-forest) The Tsar who gets lost while hunting and is helped by the soldier. He later rewards the soldier with a generalship. ### [The Quarrelsome Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-quarrelsome-wife) The new Tsar who issues a decree that wives should command their husbands. ### [The Sea Tsar and Vasilísa the Wise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-sea-tsar-and-vasil-sa-the-wise) Ruler of the underwater kingdom who sets impossible tasks for Iván and pursues the fleeing couple. ### [The Sea Tsar and Vasilísa the Wise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-sea-tsar-and-vasil-sa-the-wise) Iván's father, who unknowingly promises his son to the Sea Tsar. ### [The Story of the Brave and Doughty Knight Ilyá Múromets and the Nightingale Robber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-story-of-the-brave-and-doughty-knight-ily-m-romets-and-the-nightingale-robber) The Tsar of Sébezh, whose city is saved by Ilyá from three Tsarévichi. ### [Nikíta the Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/nik-ta-the-tanner) Father of the Tsarévna; seeks out Nikíta and begs him to fight the dragon. ### [At the Behest of the Pike](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/at-the-behest-of-the-pike) The angry Tsar who marries his daughter to the peasant and sets them adrift; later tricked into being caught with a duck. ### [Never-Wash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/never-wash) The ruler who, in financial need, agrees to give his daughter in marriage to the soldier in exchange for money. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_sea_tsar - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters