Book 1

1. When and where is the novel set? How is it connected with historical events?

 Begins in Syracuse

 Many historical figures, although not always historically accurate)

o For ex: Hermocrates, was a Syracusan general that led the successful resistance
against the Athenian expedition from invading Sicily in 413-415

o Another ex: The Persian King, Artaxerxes, represents BOTH:

 the historical Artaxerxes II Mnemom who had a wife, Statira like in the
fictional novel

 Artaxerxes III Ochus who successfully resisted against revolt from Egypt
as does in the novel

o Dionysius in the novel recalls TWO 4th Cen. Syracusan tyrants (although in the
novel Dionysius is a resident of Miletus)

2. What are Callirhoe's main attributes? How does she affect the world around her?

 Beauty “more than human”, often compared to Aphrodite

 Her beauty defined as: Divine

 “The pride of all Sicily”

 Suitors (Rulers, Tyrants, etc.) would hear about her beauty as is spread not only through
Sicily from farther North and down South

 EVEN THE NOVEL IS CALLED “CALLIRHOE” AS HER BEAUTY IS SEEMINGLY THE TRIGGER
TO ALL THE ACTION

3. Describe Chaereas.

 “Surpassingly Handsome”

 Athletic

 Noble

4. How do Chaereas and Callirhoe meet? How does the meeting affect them? How does it
affect their community?
  Meet at a public festival of Aphrodite where Callirhoe (along with all the women) go to
the goddess’ temple, she runs into Chaereas who was walking home from the gym

 “Beauty had met nobility”

 The community felt pity for Chaereas and overall, “pleaded for the marriage – a pair
worthy of each other” – everyone felt joyous (even more than the day of their victory
against the Athenians)

5. What are the symptoms of love?

 Feeling sick/ill

o Chaereas: “His illness grew so serious that he did not even go out and follow his
usual pursuits”

o Callirhoe: Preying to Aphrodite to see Chaereas again

 Depressed

 Sad (ironically)

 Jealous

o When one cannot be with the individual, they love

 Ex: suitors of Callirhoe

o When one feels their partner is unfaithful

 Chaereas

6. What is the main cause of the lovers' misfortunes?

 The Tyrant from Acragas who was set to break up the marriage, telling Chaereas a lie
that Callirhoe had been unfaithful to him and out of ANGER he goes and kicks her in the
stomach and believes that he has killed her

7. What is unusual about the trial of Chaereas?

 Chaereas himself tries to force the court to punish him, but he is acquitted of accidently
causing what is thought to be the death of Callirhoe

 As the murderer, rather than defending himself, he takes the time to accuse himself
more to sway the court to condemn him
Book 2

1. What kind of a man is Dionysius?

 Noble

 Leader of Miletus

 Widower

 A Good/Just/Kind until perhaps meeting and falling in love with Callirhoe as he becomes
jealous and scared of losing her

2. What is the importance of Aphrodite?

 As Aphrodite is almost a benchmark for beauty for the ancient greeks, and so gives a
good comparison for how beautiful Callirhoe is for readers in the ancient world

 A good visual

3. What is the effect of the references to and quotations of Homer?

 “And then her limbs gave away, her heart felt faint”

 A contrast the DULCE presented throughout the story

 Homer may also be well known in the ancient world and so readers may be able to get a
deeper understanding of the emotions that Chariton conveys

4. What is the conflict that tests Callirhoe's loyalty to Chaereas?

 Callirhoe discovers that she is pregnant by Chaereas and knows that the only way to
keep the child is to marry Dionysius, who loves her.

5. Why does she decide to marry Dionysius?

 Same as above

Book 3

1. How are slaves and servants characterized in this novel?

 As friends or voices of reason

 Treated much better than other works portrays them to be

 2. What is the role of Fortune?

 In the novel Fortune is personified (as per the capitalization) and can be seen as the
figure that is in control. The brings about misfortune after

3. Identify some theatrical elements in the novel.

4. How do dreams influence the action?

Book 4

1. In what ways are the adventures of Chaereas parallel to Callirhoe's?

2. What sort of marriage do Callirhoe and Dionysius have?

3. Why is Dionysius afraid at the close of Book 4?

4. What role does rhetoric have in the novel?

Book 5

1. How does Book Five begin?

2. What does Callirhoe find particularly difficult about her fate at this point?

3. Where is the trial to take place?

4. Why is Rhodogyne presented in public? What is the result?

5. How is Persian political life affected by the arrival of Callirhoe?

Book 6

1. What is the King's state of mind as this Book begins?

2. What further delay keeps the lovers separate?

3. What mistake in judgement does Artaxates make?

4. What arguments does Artaxates use in his second attempt with Callirhoe?

5. What event intervenes in the unhappy situation Callirhoe finds herself in?
6. How does love affect the war narrative?

Book 7

1. Why does Chaereas decide to fight on the side of the Egyptians?

2. What developments can we see in Chaereas' character?

3. How does he gain access to Tyre? Who are his followers?

4. What honour does Dionysius win and how is he rewarded?

5. What historical figure is the model for Chaereas?

6. What is the irony of the situation at the end of this Book?

Book 8

1. How are the lovers' misfortunes explained at the beginning of this Book?

2. What reassurances does Chariton give his readers as this Book starts off?

3. How are Chaereas and Callirhoe different from when we first met them?

4. Why does Callirhoe leave behind her son?

5. How is friendship restored between Chaereas and the King?

6. What benefits do the lovers' adventures bring to Syracuse?