Character guide

Publius Lucius Sabinus

major

Also known as Lucius, My Lord Lucius, the ever noble Lord Publius Lucius Sabinus

Lucius is the young master whose grief over Ilia's disappearance drives him to frenzy, generosity, and cruelty in turn — he strikes his freedman tutor, then begs forgiveness. His wealth has been confiscated by Tiberius, leaving him penniless with only his ship and companions. His volatile nature and obsession with the lost Ilia shape the tour's emotional weather, making every port and merchant's ware a reminder of what he cannot recover.

Caleb

major

Also known as Brother Caleb, Caleb of Mariaba

Caleb is the shrewd, oath-bound Sabaean who acquires Lucius's ship and property when the Roman is ruined, promising an equitable account in whatever place of exile awaits. He kneels to kiss the impoverished lord's foot — a thing he, a free man, has never done — while also nursing a lovesickness he hopes to forget in Arabia Felix. His dual role as faithful agent and self-interested merchant keeps the tour's finances and loyalties in precarious balance.

Cora

supporting

Also known as Poor Cora, Dear Cora

Cora is the gentle singer whose three months of devotion to Lucius have gone entirely unobserved, her songs offered to a man still lost in mourning for Ilia. She asks Thrasyllus whether her voice pleased, and receives only the quiet truth that Lucius hears nothing and nobody. Her patient, unrequited presence — and her eventual place beside Lucius as his wife — makes her the tour's quiet counterweight to Ilia's haunting absence.

Catullus

supporting

Also known as Uncle Catullus, fat Uncle Catullus, my noble Lord Catullus

Uncle Catullus is the impoverished relation who knows better than to hang round the rich, yet travels at his nephew's expense and hoards gold pieces that slip through Lucius's fingers. He refuses to see Ilia as a goddess, insists her ankles were thick, and suspects she simply bolted — a heresy against the household's worship. His comic realism and his tearful farewell at the voyage's start give the tour its rueful, human undertone.

Saba

supporting

Also known as Caleb of Mariaba

Saba is Caleb's fuller identity — the Sabaean merchant who sets free a woman he calls his wife at Mariaba, fearing his brother Ghizla's prior claim, and hopes one day to enjoy a life of bliss after making his fortune. His formal, ceremonious letter to Lucius, hand on heart and hand on lips, reports the sale of the Aphrodite and offers humble friendship. He embodies the tour's far-flung commercial world, where loyalty, profit, and longing travel together.

Thrasyllus

supporting

Also known as old Thrasyllus, Master Thrasyllus

Thrasyllus is the scholarly pedagogue who loves Lucius with a father's heart even as he remains, in his own words, a slave still — forgiving the young man's violent rages and calling them the heat of generous blood. He consults maps of the Nile and honours Eratosthenes as a martyr of science, preparing the tour's itinerary with quiet erudition. His patient devotion and learned curiosity anchor the journey's intellectual and moral centre.

Tarrar

minor

A mysterious or minor character with recurring mentions.

Ilia

minor

A female character, possibly a local or attendant.

Osiris

minor

Also known as Serapis, Serapis Osiris

An Egyptian god referenced in religious contexts.

Apis

minor

The sacred bull of Egyptian mythology, mentioned in rituals.

Master Ghizla

minor

Also known as Ghizla

A master or priestly figure with limited appearances.

Vettius

minor

Also known as Master Vettius

A Roman or local master, possibly a host or guide.

Rufus

minor

A named Roman character with minor role.

Aphrodite

minor

Also known as The Aphrodite, Aphrodite Arsinoe

Goddess of love, referenced in art and worship.

Tamyris

minor

A female character with limited narrative presence.

Dryope

minor

A mythological or minor character mentioned briefly.

June Lucius

minor

Also known as Lucius

A younger or variant Lucius, possibly a relative.

Isis

minor

Egyptian goddess, central to religious discussions.

Rhodopis

minor

A historical or legendary figure mentioned in passing.

Alexander the Great

minor

Also known as Alexander, the great Alexander

Historical conqueror referenced as a past figure.

Nemu - Pha

minor

A minor named character, possibly a servant or local.

Ammon

minor

Also known as Ammon - Râ, Jupiter Ammon

Egyptian god, often syncretized with Jupiter.

Hermes

minor

Also known as Hermes Trismegistus

God of travelers and messenger, referenced in lore.

Amphris

minor

A minor character or place personification.

Jahve

minor

Also known as O Jahve

Hebrew deity mentioned in religious context.

Moses

minor

Biblical prophet referenced in historical discussions.

Eratosthenes

minor

Greek scholar mentioned for his geographical work.

Neith

minor

Egyptian goddess of war and hunting.

Joseph

minor

Biblical figure referenced in passing.

Cleopatra

minor

Also known as the beautiful Cleopatra, Queen Cleopatra

Historical queen of Egypt, mentioned as a figure.

Typhon

minor

Mythological monster, referenced in stories.

Venus

minor

Also known as the Cnidian Venus of Praxiteles, Praxiteles

Goddess of love, referenced via a famous statue.

Carus the Cypriote

minor

Also known as Carus

A named Cypriot character with minor role.

Baabab

minor

Also known as the Satrap Baabab

A satrap or local ruler mentioned briefly.

Ptolemy the First

minor

Also known as Ptolemy

Hellenistic ruler of Egypt, referenced historically.

Sacred Horus

minor

Also known as Horus

Egyptian falcon god, mentioned in religious context.

Perdiccas

minor

Historical general of Alexander, referenced in passing.

Herodotus

minor

Greek historian, cited for his writings on Egypt.

Ione

minor

A named female character with limited presence.

Psammetichus

minor

Egyptian pharaoh, mentioned in historical context.

Cambyses

minor

Persian king who conquered Egypt, referenced.

Doricha

minor

A historical courtesan, mentioned in passing.