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The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 05 (of 11) cover

The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 05 (of 11)

Chapter 11: CHARACTERS
By Henrik Ibsen
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Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A two-part historical drama follows an imperial figure who struggles to reconcile philosophical conviction, religious allegiance, and political reality as competing spiritual and worldly powers vie for dominance. Scenes alternate between public confrontations and private introspection, presenting debates among thinkers, ritual pageantry, and military and courtly maneuvering. The protagonist pursues restoration of an older spiritual order but confronts intellectual doubt, institutional resistance, and the practical limits of authority, so the play interrogates faith, power, idealism versus pragmatism, and the tragedy of visionary ambition amid a society undergoing profound religious and cultural transformation.

THE EMPEROR JULIAN

CHARACTERS

  • The Emperor Julian.
  • Nevita, a general.
  • Potamon, a goldsmith.
  • Caesarius of Nazianzus, court physician.
  • Themistius, an orator.
  • Mamertinus, an orator.
  • Ursulus, treasurer.
  • Eunapius, a barber.
  • Barbara, a procuress.
  • Hekebolius, a theologian.
  • Courtiers and Officers of State.
  • Citizens of Constantinople.
  • People taking part in the procession of Dionysus, flute-players, dancers, jugglers, and women.
  • Envoys from Eastern Kings.
  • The Chamberlain Eutherius.

    Servants of the palace.

  • Judges, orators, teachers, and citizens of Antioch.
  • Medon, a corn-dealer.
  • Malchus, a tax-gatherer.
  • Gregory of Nazianzus, Caesarius’s brother.
  • Phocion, a dyer.
  • Publia, a woman of Antioch.
  • Hilarion, son of Publia.
  • Agathon Of Cappadocia.
  • Maris, Bishop of Chalcedon.
  • People taking part in the procession of Apollo, priests, servants of the temple, harp-players and watchmen of the city.
  • Agathon’s younger brother.
  • A procession of Christian prisoners.
  • Heraclius, a poet.
  • Oribases, court physician.
  • Libanius, an orator, and chief magistrate of Antioch.
  • Apollinaris, a hymn-writer.
  • Cyrillus, a teacher.
  • An old priest of Cybele.
  • Psalm-singers of Antioch.
  • Fromentinus, a captain.
  • Jovian, a general.
  • Maximus the Mystic.
  • Numa, a soothsayer.
  • Two other Etruscan soothsayers.
  • Prince Hormisdas, a Persian exile.
  • Anatolus, captain of the lifeguard.
  • Priscus, a philosopher.
  • Kytron, a philosopher.
  • Ammian, a captain.
  • Basil of Caesarea.
  • Makrina, his sister.
  • A Persian deserter.
  • Roman and Greek soldiers.
  • Persian warriors.

The first act passes in Constantinople, the second and third in Antioch, the fourth in and about the eastern territories of the empire, and the fifth on the plains beyond the Tigris. The events take place in the interval between December, A.D. 361, and the end of June, A.D. 363.