The God in the Bowl

Introduction

Probably completed in March 1932, this story was not published during its author’s lifetime. Set in the Hyborian Age, the plot follows Conan as he attempts to rob a temple-museum but becomes entangled in a murder mystery. First published in Space Science Fiction in September 1952, it has been reprinted multiple times since.

From the letters:

The rejected story is probably one of the three Howard refers to in a letter (#195) to Tevis Clyde Smith, ca. March 1932:

By the way, Farnsworth rejected the last three yarns I sent him, together with a bunch of verse. No rest for the weary.

A very interesting passage can be seen in a letter (#203) to H.P. Lovecraft, ca. April 1932:

I’ve been working on a new character, providing him with a new epoch — the Hyborian Age, which men have forgotten, but which remains in classical names, and distorted myths. Wright rejected most of the series, but I did sell him one — “The Phoenix on the Sword” which deals with the adventures of King Conan the Cimmerian, in the kingdom of Aquilonia.

Probably the rejected Conan stories are “The Frost-Giant’s Daughter” and “The God in the Bowl”.

Summary (no spoilers)

Conan breaks into Kallian Publico’s temple-museum in search of valuable treasure but is caught in the wrong place at the wrong time when the body of the wealthy owner is discovered. The city guard, led by the inquisitor Demetrio, arrives to investigate, and Conan finds himself the prime suspect. As the questioning unfolds, secrets about a mysterious artifact recently delivered to the temple begin to surface, raising more questions than answers.

Tensions escalate when new evidence emerges, revealing unexpected connections between those present. With the guards growing more suspicious and danger lurking unseen, Conan must rely on his instincts and strength to survive the night.

Characters

  • Conan – A Cimmerian thief caught in a murder investigation.
  • Kallian Publico – The wealthy owner of the temple-museum, found dead.
  • Demetrio – Chief of the Inquisitorial Council, leading the investigation.
  • Dionus – Prefect of the police, eager to convict Conan.
  • Arus – The temple watchman who discovers the body.
  • Enaro – Kallian’s charioteer, hiding his own grievances.
  • Promero – Kallian’s clerk, disturbed by what he knows.
  • Aztrias Petanius – A nobleman with a hidden agenda.
  • The Serpent Horror – A presence tied to the ancient artifact.

Published in:

The edited version by L. Sprague de Camp appears in the following places: