Character guide

Clytemnestra

major

Also known as Queen Clytemnestra, Clytemnestra Lord

Queen of Argos, wife of Agamemnon, who plots his murder upon his return from Troy.

Agamemnon

major

Also known as The Agamemnon, Herald, the Herald Agamemnon

King of Argos and leader of the Greek forces at Troy, returning home to his fate.

Cassandra

major

Also known as Cassandra Apollo, Cassandra The Seer Apollo, Cassandra O Father, Cassandra O Woman, Cassandra Death, Cassandra Man, Cassandra Yet, Cassandra Ah

Trojan princess and prophetess, brought as a captive by Agamemnon, cursed to be disbelieved.

Aigisthos

supporting

Also known as Leader, Leader Aigisthos

Clytemnestra's lover and co-conspirator in the plot against Agamemnon.

Apollo

supporting

Also known as Paian, O Paian, Apollo Paian, Loxias, Elder And Loxias

God of prophecy and music, who cursed Cassandra and is invoked throughout the play.

Zeus

supporting

Also known as Many Men, Zeus the Guide, Zeus of Hell, Zeus Most High

King of the gods, whose will and justice are central themes in the play.

Menelaus

minor

Also known as The Atreidae strong, the Atreidae twain

Brother of Agamemnon and king of Sparta, whose wife Helen's abduction sparked the Trojan War.

Helen

minor

Also known as Helena

Wife of Menelaus, whose abduction by Paris caused the Trojan War, often blamed for the bloodshed.

Orestes

minor

Also known as young Orestes

Son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, mentioned as the future avenger of his father's murder.

Calchas

minor

Prophet who interpreted the omen of the eagles and demanded Iphigenia's sacrifice.

Atreus

minor

Father of Agamemnon and Menelaus, whose curse haunts the family line.

Artemis

minor

Goddess who demanded the sacrifice of Iphigenia, causing the winds to fail at Aulis.

Herald

minor

Also known as Herald Dark

Messenger who announces Agamemnon's return from Troy to the chorus.

Priam

minor

Also known as King Priam

King of Troy, father of Hector and Paris, killed after the fall of his city.

Odysseus

minor

Greek hero and king of Ithaca, mentioned in passing as part of the Trojan War narrative.

Hermes

minor

Messenger god, invoked as a guide for the dead and for Cassandra's final moments.

Aeschylus

minor

Author of the play, referenced in the text as the poet.