Tantus

First Appearance and Context

Tantus is introduced in the Hylaean Way’s Rotunda account as a Bazian emperor who, after acquiring an older statue of Cnous by sacking what remained of Ethras, commissioned two companion sculptures: one of Hylaea and one of Deat.

Roles/Actions and Affiliations

• Patron of monumental art tied to the imperial culture of Baz; he caused marble blocks from the same quarry as the older statue to be extracted and shipped for the new works.
• A legend states that at the formal unveiling, impressed by Hylaea’s expression, he demanded the sculptor reveal what she was about to say; when the sculptor refused, Tantus drew the Imperial sword and killed him. The narrative notes that later scholarship casts doubt on this story.

Relationships

• Linked to the older statue of Cnous (as its imperial acquirer) and to the companion statues of Hylaea and Deat (as their commissioner).
• Associated indirectly with Ethras through the account of how the original statue came into his possession.

Descriptions/Characteristics

No physical description of Tantus is provided. The only characterization comes from the commissioning of the sculptures and the apocryphal anecdote about the unveiling, which depicts him as imperious and decisive.

Current Status/Location

Historical figure from the distant past of Baz; known through the Rotunda’s narrative and associated statuary. No current activities or location are given.