# Caleb — The Tour character guide > Caleb in The Tour by Louis Couperus. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Brother Caleb, Caleb of Mariaba **First appearance:** 0001-the-tour ## Snapshot A free Sabaean merchant and guide from Mariaba, sworn to Lucius by a terrible oath, who takes possession of the quadrireme and sells the nobleman's treasures abroad. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Publius Lucius Sabinus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/publius_lucius_sabinus) _rivalry_ Caleb and Publius Lucius Sabinus are locked in a bitter power struggle, each seeking to undermine the other's influence. ### [Cora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/cora) _romantic_ Caleb and Cora share a deep, forbidden romantic connection, fraught with danger and longing. ### [Thrasyllus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/thrasyllus) _friendship_ Caleb and Thrasyllus are unlikely allies, united by a common goal against a greater threat. ### [Catullus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/catullus) _friendship_ Caleb and Catullus are steadfast friends, often working together to expose corruption. ### [Tarrar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/tarrar) _rivalry_ Caleb and Tarrar are direct antagonists, each trying to outmaneuver the other in a deadly game of espionage. ### [Publius Lucius Sabinus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/publius_lucius_sabinus) _rivalry_ Caleb and Publius Lucius Sabinus are locked in a bitter power struggle, each seeking to undermine the other's influence. ### [Publius Lucius Sabinus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/publius_lucius_sabinus) _rivalry_ Caleb and Publius Lucius Sabinus are locked in a bitter power struggle, each seeking to undermine the other's influence. ### [Cora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/cora) _romantic_ Caleb and Cora share a deep, forbidden romantic connection, fraught with danger and longing. ### [Thrasyllus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/thrasyllus) _friendship_ Caleb and Thrasyllus are unlikely allies, united by a common goal against a greater threat. ### [Thrasyllus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/thrasyllus) _friendship_ Caleb and Thrasyllus are unlikely allies, united by a common goal against a greater threat. ### [Catullus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/catullus) _friendship_ Caleb and Catullus are steadfast friends, often working together to expose corruption. ### [Cora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/cora) _romantic_ Caleb and Cora share a deep, forbidden romantic connection, fraught with danger and longing. ## In the story ### [The Tour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/the-tour) The knowledgeable guide who interprets the sights and stories for the group. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/iii) Ghizla's younger brother, a vivacious guide who leads the group through Alexandria on horseback. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/iv) Agrees to guide Lucius to the sibyl of Rhacotis and arranges the merchants' visit. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/v) Lucius's loyal companion, Caleb guides him through Alexandria, offers worldly advice, and physically restrains Lucius from attacking the sibyl. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/vi) Caleb, skilled in doctoring, bandages Tarrar's head wound after Lucius struck him. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/vii) Explains the customs of the festival and arranges the boat for the journey to Canopus. ### [The Festival of Serapis at Canopus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/viii) Arranges the thalamegus barge for Lucius's journey, demonstrating resourcefulness. ### [The Dream at Canopus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/x) Caleb guides Lucius to the prophet Amphris, paying the fee and interpreting the doorkeeper's wisdom for himself. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xi) Caleb confesses his love to Cora, describes the wonders of Saba, and offers to buy her from her master. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xii) Caleb facilitates Tamyris's entry to Lucius for bribes, then listens at the door. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xiii) Negotiates with Lucius to provide a thalamegus, guide services, and supplies for the Nile journey. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xv) Caleb acts as guide and interpreter, arranging the visit to the Apis temple and negotiating with the priests. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xvi) Provides the repast and arranges camels for the journey; joins the group for lunch after much deprecation. ### [The Black Pyramid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xvii) Rides his camel with swagger, boasts about the pyramids, and pays the priestly fee. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xviii) Arranges the visit to the Sphinx and the Jewish hermit; dismisses the hermit as mad; secretly pockets the gold meant for the hermit. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xx) Rides a dromedary, becomes despondent and fearful in the desert, complains of supernatural dangers, and defends his water rationing. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xxi) Points out the male and female palm trees and argues with Tarrar about the merits of Sabaean versus Libyan dates. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xxii) One of Lucius's followers staying in the temple rooms; present but not active in the night scene. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xxiii) Displays a lion skin and tells tales of desert ghosts and visions to the people on the thalamegus. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xxiv) Caleb proposes the hunting expedition and the alternative route for Catullus; he also negotiates with Persian travelers to rent the Hermes House. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xxv) Caleb organizes the hunts, tells terrifying tales of Typhon and the great serpent, and fears wood-nymphs and scorpions. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xxvi) Caleb is mentioned as the one to whom Lucius offers Cora, and as someone who wishes to return to Saba when rich. ### [Cape Dire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xxvii) Reveals ownership of the guesthouse at Cape Dire; watches for the quadrireme. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xxviii) Caleb presents his lengthy bill for the Ethiopian hunt, initially proposes taking Cora as payment, then suggests a scheme to sell the quadrireme. He swears a solemn oath to handle the sale honestly. ### [Postscript](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/postscript) Author of the letter; joint proprietor of the Great Diversorium, the Hermes House, at Alexandria; reports the sale of the Aphrodite and his personal affairs. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced as the source of a description of Saba, based on Strabo's Geography. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters/caleb - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tour_se/characters