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The Golden Ass · Character

Philesiterus

Lover who bribes Myrmex to gain access to a married woman.

minor

Also known as adventure Philesiterus

First appearance: book iv

Philesiterus's tie to Myrmex is one of the pressures that moves The Golden Ass—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Young man praised by the old bawd for his boldness and skill in love affairs.
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Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Myrmex (professional): Myrmex, a slave, is bribed and coerced by Philesiterus to help him seduce his master's wife. With Barbarus (rivalry): Philesiterus schemes to cuckold Barbarus, making them antagonists in a…

Continue beside the text

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

See Philesiterus in book iv

Character Web

7 connections

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

MYMyrmexBABarbarusCECeresPSPsycheVEVenusPHPhilesiterus

Relationship types

  • Professional
  • Rivalry
  • Other

Character groups

  • Infidelity and deception
  • Cupid and Psyche cast

+2 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • 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.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Relationship notes

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

See Philesiterus in book iv

In the story

Philesiterus appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Philesiterus in book iv