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Conan
Conantotal2
L-R: Conan's first appearance on Weird Tales May, 1934 by Margaret Brundage;
Cover for Conan the Adventurer by Frank Frazetta;
Marvel Comics cover by John Buscema;
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the best-known screen version of Conan
Characters Adapted from Other Works
First Appearance: "The Phoenix on the Sword"
Creator: Robert E. Howard
Nationality: Originally Cimmeria, later Aquilonia - was stateless for much of his life
Religion: Cromist polytheism
Date of Birth: Hyborian Age
Parents: Father and mother (names vary in the canon)
Spouse: Zenobia
Children: Conan II
Occupation: Warrior, Hunter, Revolutionary, Thief, Guerrilla, Mercenary, Pirate
Political Office: King of Aquilonia
Appearing in:
Shared Universe Story
Conan of Venarium
Fantasy
Type of Appearance: Direct POV
Occupation: Farmhand, guerrilla, criminal, briefly a driver
Parents: Mordec and Verina

Conan, known as Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Cimmerian (from the name of his homeland, Cimmeria) is a fictional character created by Robert E. Howard in a series of stories published in Weird Tales in the 1930s. The first story "The Phoenix on the Sword" (1932) introduced Conan as the King of Aquilonia. This was followed by several prequel stories about Conan's youthful career as a mercenary commander and treasure hunter who valiantly overcomes enemy wizards and hostile mythological beasts, interspersed with tales from his time as King of Aquilonia. The constantly wandering younger Conan is the version best known in popular culture, based on Howard's original stories, authorized pastiches by numerous authors (including L. Sprague de Camp and Harry Turtledove), and adaptations to comic book, television, and film.

Conan in Conan of Venarium[]

When Conan was 12 years old, he lived in Duthil village in Cimmeria with his father Mordec the blacksmith, and his mother Verina, an invalid with tuberculosis. At this time Cimmeria was invaded by the powerful kingdom of Aquilonia. The Aquilonians established the outpost of Venarium, a day's walk from Duthil. Mordec joined the Cimmerian resistance, but insisted that Conan was too young to fight. After a series of blows, Conan had to stay behind from the battle which his people lost.

Conan's resentment at living in an occupied country festered for two years.

During this time, Conan met Tarla, the daughter of Balarg the weaver, and developed feelings for her. Unfortunately, Tarla had also caught the eye of Count Stercus, the Aquilonian military governor, who was out of favor with King Numedides in Tarantia for his preference for extremely young lovers.

See also[]

Royal offices
(Fictional Work)
Preceded by
Numedides III
King of Aquilonia Succeeded by
Valerius
Preceded by
Valerius
King of Aquilonia
(restored)
Succeeded by
Conan II
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