# Schahabarim — Salammbô character guide

> Schahabarim in Salammbô by Gustave Flaubert.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the high priest Schahabarim

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-salammb

## Snapshot

Tanith's high priest, he stokes Salammbô's mystic longings while quietly doubting the goddess he serves and scheming to prove her power.

## Who they are

Schahabarim holds the sacred rites of Tanith and the ear of Hamilcar's household, yet his faith is hollowed by doubt he cannot confess. He feeds Salammbô's visions rather than calming them, and when Carthage reels under Matho's armies he converts her private ecstasy into a public errand. His blend of devotion and calculation makes him the story's most unsettling guide, a man who would spend a woman's life to recover a god's proof.

## Relationships

### [Salammbô](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/salammbo)

_psychological_

Schahabarim, as high priest, exerts spiritual and psychological control over Salammbô, manipulating her faith.

### [Matho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/matho)

_rivalry_

Matho and Schahabarim are adversaries, with Schahabarim opposing Matho's sacrilege and obsession with Salammbô.

### [Salammbô](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/salammbo)

_psychological_

Schahabarim, as high priest, exerts spiritual and psychological control over Salammbô, manipulating her faith.

### [Matho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/matho)

_rivalry_

Matho and Schahabarim are adversaries, with Schahabarim opposing Matho's sacrilege and obsession with Salammbô.

### [Salammbô](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/salammbo)

_psychological_

Schahabarim, as high priest, exerts spiritual and psychological control over Salammbô, manipulating her faith.

## In the story

### [III: Salammbô](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/iii-salammb)

High priest of Tanith and Salammbô's teacher; he recounts the origins of the gods but refuses to let her see the sacred veil, asserting priestly authority.

### [X: The Serpent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/x-the-serpent)

The high priest who diagnoses Salammbô's affliction as divine influence, attempts cures, and instructs her in the serpent ritual.

### [XI: In the Tent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/xi-in-the-tent)

His servant guides Salammbô; the priest's command is obeyed.

### [XIII: Moloch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/xiii-moloch)

Commits apostasy by worshipping Moloch, touching the colossus, and is expelled by the priests of Moloch.

### [XV: Matho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/xv-matho)

Cuts out Matho's heart and offers it to the sun.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/schahabarim
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters