# The Tour — Character guide

> Key figures in The Tour by Louis Couperus.

- [Publius Lucius Sabinus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/publius_lucius_sabinus.md): 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, 
- [Caleb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/caleb.md): 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 —
- [Cora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/cora.md): 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 on
- [Catullus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/catullus.md): 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
- [Saba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/saba.md): 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. Hi
- [Thrasyllus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/thrasyllus.md): 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 c
- [Tarrar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/tarrar.md): A mysterious or minor character with recurring mentions.
- [Ilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/ilia.md): A female character, possibly a local or attendant.
- [Osiris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/osiris.md): An Egyptian god referenced in religious contexts.
- [Apis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/apis.md): The sacred bull of Egyptian mythology, mentioned in rituals.
- [Master Ghizla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/ghizla.md): A master or priestly figure with limited appearances.
- [Vettius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/vettius.md): A Roman or local master, possibly a host or guide.
- [Rufus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/rufus.md): A named Roman character with minor role.
- [Aphrodite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/aphrodite.md): Goddess of love, referenced in art and worship.
- [Tamyris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/tamyris.md): A female character with limited narrative presence.
- [Dryope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/dryope.md): A mythological or minor character mentioned briefly.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters