Publius Lucius Sabinus

Caleb

Caleb and Publius Lucius Sabinus are locked in a bitter power struggle, each seeking to undermine the other's influence.

Tarrar

Publius Lucius Sabinus employs Tarrar as a cunning and loyal agent, using him for covert operations.

Thrasyllus

Publius Lucius Sabinus and Thrasyllus are old comrades, sharing a bond of mutual respect and shared history.

Catullus

Catullus openly despises Publius Lucius Sabinus, viewing him as a corrupt and dangerous adversary.

Cora

Cora is both fascinated and manipulated by Publius Lucius Sabinus, trapped in a web of his psychological games.

Vettius

Vettius serves as Publius Lucius Sabinus's ruthless enforcer, carrying out his dirty work without question.

Ilia

Ilia is Publius Lucius Sabinus's estranged sister, bound by blood but divided by betrayal.

Osiris

Osiris is a mysterious figure who subtly manipulates Publius Lucius Sabinus, pulling strings from the shadows.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite is Publius Lucius Sabinus's former lover, now using her charms to manipulate him for her own ends.

Rufus

Rufus is a loyal but disillusioned soldier in Publius Lucius Sabinus's personal guard.

Dryope

Dryope is Publius Lucius Sabinus's elderly mother, who wields quiet influence over him despite his power.

Caleb

Caleb and Publius Lucius Sabinus are locked in a bitter power struggle, each seeking to undermine the other's influence.

The Tour

The Roman nobleman observing the Egyptian wonders with curiosity and a sense of cultural superiority.

I

The grieving master, lying on the prow of his ship, consumed by sorrow over Ilia's disappearance.

II

Lucius is sobbing on his cushions, consumed by grief over Ilia's disappearance, and remains oblivious to Cora's singing and presence.

III

The protagonist, a wealthy Roman nobleman, arrives in Alexandria grieving the loss of his slave Ilia.

IV

Grieves over Ilia, kisses her sandal, and secretly plans to consult oracles.

V

Desperate and volatile, Lucius seeks the sibyl to find Ilia, reacting with rage when he suspects her of reading his thoughts.

VI

Lucius is overwhelmed by sorrow and rage, sobbing and destroying property, but later shows compassion toward Tarrar, offering him freedom and forgiveness.

VII

Emerges from mourning, dresses as an Egyptian god, and leads the household to Canopus to dream of Ilia.

The Festival of Serapis at Canopus

The wealthy Roman master who journeys to Canopus to dream, depicted as a priest-like figure longing for his dream.

The Festival of Serapis at Canopus

Lucius marches in the procession, lies under a gold network awaiting a dream from Serapis to find a lost beloved woman.

The Dream at Canopus

Lucius dreams of his lost love Ilia and seeks interpretation from the prophet Amphris, learning that his soul is sick with sorrow and love.

XI

Lucius returns from Canopus in a fit of fury, locks himself in his room, and refuses to see anyone.

Chapter XII

Lucius is visited by Tamyris, rejects her advances, but later visits her out of curiosity, only to be disappointed.

XIII

Weary and lovesick, agrees to Thrasyllus's plan and hires Caleb as guide.

The Night of Isis

Lucius is deeply melancholic and unwell, wanders alone during the Feast of Isis, visits the temple, and later asks Cora to stay with him.

Chapter XV

Lucius is deeply moved by the mystic awe of Memphis's ancient past, feeling his own grief and life shrink in comparison. He also expresses a burning desire to find the pirate who robbed him of Ilia.

XVI

Absorbed in reading about Joseph and Moses, and deeply contemplative about the past while gazing at the pyramids.

The Black Pyramid

Trembles upon hearing the legend of Rhodopis's sandal, seeks the priest's help to find Ilia, and is consumed by rage and grief.

XVIII

Struggles with the truth of Ilia's betrayal by Carus; seeks solace in oracles and the Sphinx; resolves to keep his grief silent.

XIX

Wanders alone at dawn, doubting his cure from grief and questioning whether he truly knows the truth about Ilia. Observes rural life with envy and later follows Cora at a distance.

XX

Leads the caravan to the oracle of Ammon, remains cheerful despite hardships, and resolves the water crisis with lemons and money.

XXI

Kneels in reverence before the fading god Ammon-Râ and seeks the truth through meditation and prayer.

XXII

Pale, tired, and enlightened after five days and nights; calm and dignified, he commands Tarrar to bury the sycamore casket in the desert.

XXIII

Reveals his knowledge of Carus's theft of Ilia and his embrace of the maxim 'Be a god unto yourself' to overcome grief.

XXIV

Lucius marvels at the architecture of Thebes and hears the sound from the colossus of Memnon; he agrees to Caleb's hunting expedition plans.

XXV

Lucius abandons his grief for Ilia, finding new health and manhood in the Ethiopian hunts.

XXVI

Lucius initiates a night walk with Cora, asks her to dance, and ultimately accepts her love, offering her a place with him.

Cape Dire

Learns of his financial ruin from Vettius and Rufus; arrives at Cape Dire.

XXVIII

Lucius is now impoverished after Tiberius confiscated his possessions. He refuses to give up Cora and agrees to Caleb's plan to transfer the quadrireme's ownership to Caleb for sale.

XXIX

Arranges passage to Babylon, lies to the ship's master about his relationship with Catullus, and settles Cora into the cabin.

Postscript

Recipient of the letter; former owner of the quadrireme Aphrodite; addressed as 'ever noble Lord' and 'companion of the chase'.