# Patroclus — Triplanetary character guide

> Patroclus in Triplanetary by E. E. Smith.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Grand Champion Patroclus

**First appearance:** 0007-iii-atlantis

## Snapshot

A Thracian grand champion of the Roman arena, Patroclus fights with cold certainty that any man who faces him dies, and he is usually right.

## Who they are

Patroclus moves through the gladiatorial world as a man who has already survived everything the arena can throw at him, his calm unshaken even when matched against the Gaul Fermius. Beneath that stillness runs a personal vendetta against Tigellinus, the guard commander who took his wife, and a vow to Jupiter that he treats as a practical guarantee. He matters because his conspiracy among the gladiators, aimed at Nero himself, shows the same pattern of hidden manipulation and revolt that runs through the whole book.

## Relationships

### [Fermius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/fermius)

_friendship_

Fermius and Patroclus are allies or companions, possibly within a Roman or ancient setting, working together.

### [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/nero)

_rivalry_

Nero and Patroclus are enemies or competitors, likely in a power struggle within the ancient narrative.

### [Fermius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/fermius)

_friendship_

Fermius and Patroclus are allies or companions, possibly within a Roman or ancient setting, working together.

## In the story

### [III: The Fall of Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iii-the-fall-of-rome)

A Thracian gladiator plotting rebellion against Nero, organizing a conspiracy with Livius and allies at court.

### [Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iii-rome)

Grand Champion gladiator leading a conspiracy against Nero; killed in the arena.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/patroclus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters