Born to an affluent family in Granada, Hasan is a curious and observant youth whose early life is shaped by the fall of his native city. Throughout his extensive travels across North Africa, Egypt, and Italy, he develops into a cosmopolitan merchant and diplomat. His broad experiences give him a complex identity and a highly tolerant perspective on religion and humanity, though he remains spiritually devout.

An affluent weigh-master in the city of Granada, Muhammad holds significant social and political connections. He is an adventurous businessman who undertakes various ventures to support his family following their exile. His deep infatuation with his concubine causes significant household tension and temporarily strains his relationship with his son.

Born Esmerelda in a Castilian village, Warda was captured during a raid and became Muhammad's enslaved concubine. She holds significant sway over Muhammad, enjoying a luxurious life in Granada that she vastly prefers over her rural origins.

Hasan's mother and Muhammad's first wife. The daughter of a bookseller, she is intelligent but relies heavily on soothsayers, astrology, and folk magic. She maintains a formal, respectful relationship with her husband but suffers deeply from his preference for Warda.

Salma's brother and Hasan's uncle. A highly educated and politically savvy man, he works as a letter writer in the Sultan's court. He acts as a diplomat and fiercely guards the honor of his family and the Granadan exile community, often clashing with Muhammad over his behavior.

Hasan's half-sister, born to Warda and Muhammad. Despite the rivalry between their mothers, she shares a close bond with Hasan. She seeks protection in a patriarchal society, eventually suffering severe injustice due to her father's political and business maneuvers.

Known as 'the Ferret' due to his ability to gather information through the city's network of porters, Harun is the son of a porter and Hasan's closest boyhood friend. He grows into a resourceful young man with a strong sense of social justice and a deep devotion to Mariam.

A brutally effective and corrupt tax collector from the Bani Zarwal region. Claiming to be a former shepherd who found treasure, he actually built his wealth through banditry. He uses his wealth and political connections to terrorize others and is notoriously cruel to the women in his household.

A rigid and uncompromising religious leader who views military technology as sinful and preaches against moral corruption. Despite his strict fundamentalist views, he occasionally displays surprising compassion for the vulnerable.

Khali's youngest daughter and Hasan's cousin. She is described as physically frail and prone to illness. Her marriage to Hasan fulfills a family obligation rather than a romantic desire.

An Arabic-speaking enslaved woman from a mountain tribe. She possesses intense beauty and cunning, capturing Hasan completely and drawing his genuine romantic devotion despite his formal marriage to Fatima.

A Circassian woman and the widow of an Ottoman amir. Intensely ambitious, she lives on a meager pension in Cairo while harboring grand political aspirations for her secret child, willing to leverage her relationships to achieve royal status.

Originally named Judith, she was born to a Jewish family in Granada who fled to Italy. Following her family's death, she was forced into a convent and abused for her heritage before being rescued by a powerful Cardinal.

A powerful Cardinal of the Medici family who later ascends to the papacy. He is politically astute, heavily involved in the complex wars between European empires, and genuinely interested in philosophical and spiritual discussions.

A well-connected Jewish fortune teller and a deeply trusted confidante of Salma. She relies on her prophetic knowledge and community ties to survive the rising religious persecution in Spain before eventually seeking exile.

A scientifically minded doctor who champions the Islamic tradition of intellectual inquiry. He attempts to use captured military technology to defend the city, arguing for practical defense over martyrdom.

A member of the Medici family, he rules as Pope and orchestrates Hasan's kidnapping to secure an educated Muslim informant. He proves to be an intellectual patron of the arts who warmly sponsors Hasan's integration into Roman society.

A fellow merchant and sailor who becomes a steadfast friend to Hasan. He shares in Hasan's captivity and remains a vital link to Hasan's family and past life during their years in Italy.

The son of Princess Nur and the deceased Ottoman amir 'Ala al-Din. He travels with his mother and Hasan, living under the pretense of being Hasan's son for his own safety and to protect his mother's political ambitions.

A well-connected papal associate who works closely with Pope Leo X and later Pope Clement VII. He serves as Hasan's initial guide to Rome, introducing him to the city's political and cultural environment while maneuvering through papal politics.

A college friend of Hasan who claims prestigious descent from the Prophet and falsely attributes his limp to battle wounds. He is a cynical and exasperating figure who eventually raises a rebel army to carve out his own kingdom rather than fight foreign invaders.

A monk and student of Hasan's who is attracted to the reformist doctrines of Martin Luther. He serves as Hasan's guide through the poorer districts of Rome and later plays a crucial role in securing Hasan's safety during the city's invasion.