# The Bassa — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia character guide

> The Bassa in The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Bassa

**First appearance:** 0039-xxxviii-the-adventures-of-the-lady-pekuah

## Who they are

A Turkish governor who captures Pekuah and holds her in his seraglio.

## Relationships

### [Rasselas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/rasselas)

_social_

Rasselas observes the Bassa's rise and fall from power as a lesson in political ambition.

### [The Astronomer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_astronomer)

_social_

The Astronomer and the Bassa are both figures of power and delusion, but they do not interact directly in the narrative.

### [Rasselas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/rasselas)

_social_

Rasselas observes the Bassa's rise and fall from power as a lesson in political ambition.

## In the story

### [VI: A Dissertation on the Art of Flying](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/vi-a-dissertation-on-the-art-of-flying)

Not present in this chapter.

### [The Danger of Prosperity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xx-the-danger-of-prosperity)

Mentioned as the enemy of the wealthy master, incensed by his wealth and popularity.

### [The Prince Examines the Happiness of High Stations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxiv-the-prince-examines-the-happiness-of-high-stations)

The ruler whose court Rasselas visits; he is deposed and carried in chains to Constantinople.

### [They Return to Cairo Without Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxiv-they-return-to-cairo-without-pekuah)

Receives the Prince's petition but does little to pursue the robbers.

### [The Adventures of the Lady Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-adventures-of-the-lady-pekuah)

Referenced indirectly as the Arab chief who captures Pekuah and negotiates her ransom.

### [The Adventures of Pekuah Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxix-the-adventures-of-pekuah-continued)

Mentioned as the Arab chief who captured Pekuah; described as avaricious, accomplished, and ultimately willing to accept ransom.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_bassa
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters