The Golden Ass · Character

Milo

Lucius's wealthy, tight-fisted host in Hypata, a moneylender whose dull talk and hidden household conceal a witch for a wife.

supporting

Also known as Milo of Hippata, Milo of Diophanes

First appearance: ii

As a supporting figure in The Golden Ass, Milo is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A wealthy miser in Hypata, Lucius's host.

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See Milo in The Golden Ass Book page

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Milo of Hippata receives Lucius into his home with the manners of a man who counts every coin and every cup of wine. He is a cautious, skeptical old businessman who laughs at soothsayers and warns against trusting fortune-tellers, yet he lives under the same roof as Pamphile and her secret arts. His stinginess and his blindness to what goes on in his own house make him a quietly comic figure whose respectable exterior frames the danger Lucius walks into.

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

See Milo in ii

Character Web

16 connections

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

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Cupid and Psyche cast
Protagonist
Mythological and supporting figures

+11 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 marks the psychological peak of Lucius's terror and desperation…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Lucius
social · ambivalent
Lucius stays as a guest in Milo's house during his travels in Thessaly, a hospitable but… How this plays out →
Lucius
social · ambivalent
Lucius stays as a guest in Milo's house during his travels in Thessaly, a hospitable but… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Milo in ii

In the story

Milo appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Golden Ass
A wealthy miser in Hypata, Lucius's host.
VI
Avaricious usurer who receives Lucius as a guest
VII
Lucius's host, who invites him to a sparse supper and questions him about his travels.
Book II
Lucius's host in Hypata, a usurer who is suspicious of his guest's intentions.
VIII
Lucius's host, who is not at home when Lucius returns from Byrrhena's house.
X
Lucius's host; laughs at Pamphiles' prophecy and questions Lucius about Diophanes.
XI
His house is the scene of the attempted break-in by the three men Lucius kills.
Book III
Lucius's host in Hypata.
How Apuleius was accused by an old man, and how he answered for himself.
Lucius's host, who laughs at Lucius during his trial despite Lucius claiming to have defended his home.
XIV
Lucius's host, who leads him away from the theatre and tries to comfort him.
XVII
His treasure is stolen by thieves.
XVIII
His ass is mentioned as one of the animals that would not let Lucius feed with them.
XXIV
His house was robbed, and Lucius is blamed for the theft.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Milo in ii

See Milo in The Golden Ass