# Zat Arras — The Gods of Mars character guide

> Zat Arras in The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0017-xvi-under-arrest

## Snapshot

Jed of Zodangan Helium and John Carter's most persistent political rival, he turns patriotism into a weapon against the man his people revere.

## Who they are

Zat Arras holds real power in Helium and resents every honor showered on the Earthman who married its princess. His opposition is not mere jealousy but a calculated campaign to discredit Carter before the court and the fleet. He matters because he forces Carter to fight on two fronts at once: the alien horrors below and the jealous nobleman scheming at home.

## Relationships

### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter)

_rivalry_

John Carter and Zat Arras are bitter enemies, with Zat Arras plotting against Carter's authority.

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_rivalry_

Dejah Thoris opposes Zat Arras, who seeks to undermine her husband John Carter.

### [Kantos Kan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/kantos_kan)

_rivalry_

Kantos Kan is a fierce rival of Zat Arras, opposing his treacherous schemes.

### [Tardos Mors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/tardos_mors)

_rivalry_

Tardos Mors, the Jeddak of Helium, opposes Zat Arras as a political and personal enemy.

### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter)

_rivalry_

John Carter and Zat Arras are bitter enemies, with Zat Arras plotting against Carter's authority.

### [Kantos Kan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/kantos_kan)

_rivalry_

Kantos Kan is a fierce rival of Zat Arras, opposing his treacherous schemes.

## In the story

### [Under Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xvi-under-arrest)

Jed of Zodanga, treats John Carter and his companions as prisoners, insults John Carter, and is confronted.

### [The Death Sentence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xvii-the-death-sentence)

Presides as the magistrate of the tribunal, orchestrating the death sentence against John Carter.

### [Black Despair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xix-black-despair)

Offers John Carter freedom in exchange for supporting his bid to become Jeddak of Helium, then orders him to the pits.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/zat_arras
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters