- This article is about Taurus of Nemedia, Prince of Thieves; for other uses of "Taurus", see Taurus (disambiguation)
Taurus is a literary character created by Robert E. Howard in his story "The Tower of the Elephant", published by Weird Tales during the 1930s.
Biographical sketch
Taurus, self-styled Prince of Thieves, earned his reputation by embarking on daring thefts. His accomplishments owed much to daring, planning, and experienced judgement. Conan encountered Taurus at the base of the Elephant Tower. Taurus had been planning to steal the Elephant's Heart for some time, but decided to let Conan join the raid at the last minute. Using the mysterious and rare Black Lotus powder he had stolen from a Stygian caravan, Taurus slew a half-dozen lions guarding the tower. Ascending the tower via rope and grappling hook, he intended to leave Conan behind and finish the theft on his own. However, he reckoned without the enormous spider guarding the top floor of the tower, which injected him with deadly poison before he could react. Taurus died immediately afterwards, leaving only Conan and his legacy as the Prince of Thieves behind.
Physical Appearance
Taurus is described as "big-bellied and fat", but this is misleading, as "his every movement betokened a subtle dynamic magnetism", later adding that his "suppleness was amazing, considering his bulk".
Traits and skills
Taurus is a famous thief, capable of incredible agility when compared to his apparently flabby bulk. He also has an array of unusual artefacts gleaned from exotic locations, such as black lotus powder from the jungles of Khitai, or his rope made from the hair of dead women stolen at midnight then soaked in upas tree wine.