Character guide

Daphnis

major

Also known as Menalcas, Fierce tigers Daphnis, cruel Daphnis, Fate the godlike Daphnis

A shepherd and central figure in pastoral songs, mourned and deified after his death.

Tityrus

major

Also known as Tityrus Fool

A shepherd who finds peace and security under the protection of a young god in Rome.

Meliboeus

major

Also known as Thyrsis Meliboeus, Pastoral VII Meliboeus

A dispossessed shepherd who laments his exile while conversing with Tityrus.

Alexis

supporting

A beautiful youth loved by the shepherd Corydon, who sings of his unrequited passion.

Corydon

supporting

Also known as Young Corydon

A shepherd who passionately laments his love for the boy Alexis.

Palaemon

supporting

Also known as Pastoral III Palaemon, Damoetas Palaemon

An older shepherd who judges the singing contest between Damoetas and Menalcas.

Damoetas

supporting

Also known as Damoetas Pollio, Damoetas Rhymer, Damoetas Aegon

A shepherd who engages in a singing match with Menalcas, judged by Palaemon.

Menalcas

supporting

Also known as young Menalcas, Menalcas With Phyllis, Menalcas Who hates not living Bavius

A shepherd and singer who appears in multiple eclogues, often in contests or songs.

Pollio

supporting

A Roman consul and patron addressed in the poem, heralding a new golden age.

Silvanus

minor

A rustic god of the woods, appearing in pastoral songs and landscapes.

Silenus

supporting

A drunken old satyr captured by shepherds, who sings a cosmic and mythological song.

Gallus

supporting

Also known as Pastoral X Gallus Gallus

A poet and friend of Virgil, mourned in a pastoral setting as he dies of love.

Mopsus

minor

Also known as Mopsus Mopsus

A shepherd who sings a lament for Daphnis in a singing contest with Menalcas.

Moeris

supporting

Also known as Old Moeris

An old shepherd who recalls songs and laments the loss of his land.

Lycidas

supporting

Also known as Pastoral IX Lycidas

A shepherd who walks with Moeris and discusses poetry and loss.

Damon

minor

Also known as Unhappy Damon

A shepherd who sings a tragic song of unrequited love and despair.

Amyntas

minor

A young shepherd mentioned as a rival or beloved in pastoral songs.

Aegle

minor

A nymph who helps capture Silenus and appears in the sixth eclogue.

Phyllis

minor

Also known as hazel Phyllis

A shepherdess loved by Menalcas, mentioned in pastoral songs.

Nisa

minor

A woman loved by Damon, who laments her marriage to another.

Pan

minor

The god of the wild, invoked by shepherds and associated with Arcadian music.

Amaryllis

minor

Also known as Proud Amaryllis

A shepherdess loved by Tityrus, who finds favor with her in his songs.

Codrus

minor

A poet mentioned in pastoral contests, sometimes envied or mocked.

Thyrsis

minor

A shepherd who sings in a contest with Corydon in the seventh eclogue.

Phoebus

minor

The god Apollo, patron of poetry and music, invoked by shepherds.

Augustus

minor

The Roman emperor, referenced as a divine figure granting peace to Tityrus.

Orpheus

minor

Also known as Not Thracian Orpheus

The mythical musician, mentioned as a singer of surpassing skill.

Apollo

minor

The god of music and prophecy, appearing as an inspiration to poets.

Phoebe

minor

Also known as Pale Phoebe

A nymph or goddess associated with the moon, mentioned in pastoral verse.

Bavius

minor

A poet criticized by Menalcas, damned for his bad verse.

Maevius

minor

Also known as Dead Maevius

A poet cursed alongside Bavius by Menalcas.

Aegon

minor

A shepherd mentioned as the owner of flocks in Damoetas's song.