# Astok of Dusar — Thuvia, Maid of Mars character guide

> Astok of Dusar in Thuvia, Maid of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Astok, Dusar

**First appearance:** 0000-i-carthoris-and-thuvia

## Snapshot

Prince of Dusar, weak and wicked by his own admission, who steals a princess and frames a rival to cover the crime.

## Who they are

Astok is the son of a tyrant and a slave woman, raised without love and schooled in his father's cruelty, yet not quite hardened enough to match it. He schemes to take Thuvia of Ptarth and shifts the blame onto Carthoris, but his nerve fails when Nutus whispers what murdering her would truly require. His cowardice and his craving for a woman who scorns him make him the engine of the novel's central pursuit.

## Relationships

### [Carthoris of Helium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/carthoris_of_helium)

_rivalry_

Astok is a jealous suitor of Thuvia and a political enemy of Carthoris, plotting to kill him and frame him for murder.

### [Thuvia of Ptarth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/thuvia_of_ptarth)

_romantic_

Astok desires Thuvia as a bride for political gain, but his feelings are possessive and unrequited.

### [Vas Kor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/vas_kor)

_professional_

Vas Kor is Astok's henchman, assisting in his schemes and acting as a co-conspirator.

### [Nutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/nutus)

_family_

Nutus is Astok's father, the Jeddak of Dusar, who supports his son's political ambitions.

### [Turjun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/turjun)

_professional_

Turjun is a Dusarian warrior serving under Astok, involved in his schemes against Carthoris.

### [Vas Kor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/vas_kor)

_professional_

Vas Kor is Astok's henchman, assisting in his schemes and acting as a co-conspirator.

### [Vas Kor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/vas_kor)

_professional_

Vas Kor is Astok's henchman, assisting in his schemes and acting as a co-conspirator.

### [Thuvia of Ptarth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/thuvia_of_ptarth)

_romantic_

Astok desires Thuvia as a bride for political gain, but his feelings are possessive and unrequited.

### [Carthoris of Helium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/carthoris_of_helium)

_rivalry_

Astok is a jealous suitor of Thuvia and a political enemy of Carthoris, plotting to kill him and frame him for murder.

### [Carthoris of Helium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/carthoris_of_helium)

_rivalry_

Astok is a jealous suitor of Thuvia and a political enemy of Carthoris, plotting to kill him and frame him for murder.

### [Thuvia of Ptarth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/thuvia_of_ptarth)

_romantic_

Astok desires Thuvia as a bride for political gain, but his feelings are possessive and unrequited.

### [Nutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/nutus)

_family_

Nutus is Astok's father, the Jeddak of Dusar, who supports his son's political ambitions.

## In the story

### [Carthoris and Thuvia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/chapters/i-carthoris-and-thuvia)

Prince of Dusar; forcibly grasps Thuvia and is struck by Carthoris; later takes formal leave.

### [II: Slavery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/chapters/ii-slavery)

Referred to as 'the prince' whose plan is being executed; orchestrates the abduction.

### [III: Treachery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/chapters/iii-treachery)

Prince of Dusar, initially suspected by Carthoris of the abduction, but alibi provided by fêtes in Dusar.

### [IV: A Green Man’s Captive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/chapters/iv-a-green-man-s-captive)

Implied as the master of the red abductors who lost Thuvia.

### [Kar Komak, the Bowman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/chapters/x-kar-komak-the-bowman)

Mentioned as the villain whose machinations have led to war between Helium, Ptarth, and Kaol.

### [XII: To Save Dusar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/chapters/xii-to-save-dusar)

Struggles with his father's command to kill Thuvia; visits her in the tower, pleads for her love, and when rejected, resolves to have her executed.

### [XIII: Turjun, the Panthan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-turjun-the-panthan)

Plots with Vas Kor to kill Thuvia, fearing her eyes and seeking Vas Kor's help.

### [XIV: Kulan Tith's Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/chapters/xiv-kulan-tith-s-sacrifice)

Plots Thuvia's murder with Vas Kor, but is confronted and thwarted by Carthoris.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters/astok_of_dusar
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thuvia_maid_of_mars_se/characters