She · Character

Kallikrates

The dead Greek priest whose face Ayesha has mourned for two thousand years, and whose likeness in Leo drags her out of immortality's long patience.

supporting

Also known as the Priest Kallikrates, The Kallikrates, This Kallikrates, my Kallikrates

First appearance: The Sherd of Amenartas

As a supporting figure in She, Kallikrates is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

An Egyptian priest of Isis and ancestor of Leo, who fled Egypt with a princess and was later murdered by a white queen.

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Kallikrates exists in the novel first as a name Ayesha breathes over Leo — her lost love, her vow, her excuse for everything she has become. He was a priest of Isis who fled with her and then, by her account, betrayed her among a thousand veiled women, a wound she has nursed into an empire. His shadow shapes the early-middle arc: every glance Ayesha gives Leo is partly aimed at a man two millennia dead, and the question of whether Leo is Kallikrates reborn — or merely resembles him — becomes the hinge on which her hopes and the travelers' fates turn.

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The fuller portrait of Kallikrates sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Kallikrates in The Sherd of Amenartas

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Kallikrates sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Psychological
Social
Other

Character groups

Ancient and Reincarnated Lovers
Protagonist

+4 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story’s dramatic climax because it presents the ultimate emotional and psychological peak: Ayesha’…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Ayesha
romantic · positive
Ayesha's undying love for the long-dead Kallikrates drives her entire quest for… How this plays out →
Leo Vincey
psychological · ambivalent
Ustane
social · ambivalent
Ayesha
romantic · positive
Ayesha's undying love for the long-dead Kallikrates drives her entire quest for… How this plays out →
Leo Vincey
psychological · ambivalent
Ayesha
romantic · positive
Ayesha's undying love for the long-dead Kallikrates drives her entire quest for… How this plays out →
Ustane
social · ambivalent
Ustane
social · ambivalent

Ayesha
Ayesha's undying love for the long-dead Kallikrates drives her entire quest for immortality and reunion.
Leo Vincey
Leo is believed to be the reincarnation of Kallikrates, creating a mystical identity link between them.
Ustane
Kallikrates and Ustane have no direct interaction, but Ustane's fate is tied to his legacy through Leo.
Ayesha
Ayesha's undying love for the long-dead Kallikrates drives her entire quest for immortality and reunion.
Leo Vincey
Leo is believed to be the reincarnation of Kallikrates, creating a mystical identity link between them.
Ayesha
Ayesha's undying love for the long-dead Kallikrates drives her entire quest for immortality and reunion.
Ustane
Kallikrates and Ustane have no direct interaction, but Ustane's fate is tied to his legacy through Leo.
Ustane
Kallikrates and Ustane have no direct interaction, but Ustane's fate is tied to his legacy through Leo.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Kallikrates in The Sherd of Amenartas

In the story

Kallikrates appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

My Visitor
An Egyptian priest of Isis and ancestor of Leo, who fled Egypt with a princess and was later murdered by a white queen.
The Sherd of Amenartas
Amenartas's husband, a priest of Isis, who was killed by Ayesha after refusing her love.
XIV: A Soul in Hell
Kallikrates' preserved body is the focus of Ayesha's ritual and mourning.
XVIII: “Go, Woman!”
Referenced as the past lover of Ayesha and the reincarnation of Leo. Ayesha calls Leo by this name.
XXI: The Dead and Living Meet
The preserved corpse of Leo's past incarnation, identical to Leo, with a spear wound over the heart.
XXV: The Spirit of Life
Referenced as the past love of Ayesha whom she killed in jealousy; Leo is believed to be his reincarnation.
Over the Mountain
Referenced in Holly's final reflections as the ancient priest whom Leo may be a reincarnation of.
Endnotes
His death is discussed, with a discrepancy between Ayesha's account and the potsherd inscription.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Kallikrates unlock in the free preview.

See Kallikrates in The Sherd of Amenartas

See Kallikrates in My Visitor