# The Eclogues — Character guide

> Key figures in The Eclogues by Virgil.

- [Daphnis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/daphnis.md): A shepherd and central figure in pastoral songs, mourned and deified after his death.
- [Tityrus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/tityrus.md): A shepherd who finds peace and security under the protection of a young god in Rome.
- [Meliboeus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/meliboeus.md): A dispossessed shepherd who laments his exile while conversing with Tityrus.
- [Alexis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/alexis.md): A beautiful youth loved by the shepherd Corydon, who sings of his unrequited passion.
- [Corydon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/corydon.md): A shepherd who passionately laments his love for the boy Alexis.
- [Palaemon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/palaemon.md): An older shepherd who judges the singing contest between Damoetas and Menalcas.
- [Damoetas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/damoetas.md): A shepherd who engages in a singing match with Menalcas, judged by Palaemon.
- [Menalcas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/menalcas.md): A shepherd and singer who appears in multiple eclogues, often in contests or songs.
- [Pollio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/pollio.md): A Roman consul and patron addressed in the poem, heralding a new golden age.
- [Silvanus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/silvanus.md): A rustic god of the woods, appearing in pastoral songs and landscapes.
- [Silenus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/silenus.md): A drunken old satyr captured by shepherds, who sings a cosmic and mythological song.
- [Gallus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/gallus.md): A poet and friend of Virgil, mourned in a pastoral setting as he dies of love.
- [Mopsus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/mopsus.md): A shepherd who sings a lament for Daphnis in a singing contest with Menalcas.
- [Moeris](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/moeris.md): An old shepherd who recalls songs and laments the loss of his land.
- [Lycidas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/lycidas.md): A shepherd who walks with Moeris and discusses poetry and loss.
- [Damon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/damon.md): A shepherd who sings a tragic song of unrequited love and despair.
- [Amyntas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/amyntas.md): A young shepherd mentioned as a rival or beloved in pastoral songs.
- [Aegle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/aegle.md): A nymph who helps capture Silenus and appears in the sixth eclogue.
- [Phyllis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/phyllis.md): A shepherdess loved by Menalcas, mentioned in pastoral songs.
- [Nisa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/nisa.md): A woman loved by Damon, who laments her marriage to another.
- [Pan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/pan.md): The god of the wild, invoked by shepherds and associated with Arcadian music.
- [Amaryllis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/amaryllis.md): A shepherdess loved by Tityrus, who finds favor with her in his songs.
- [Codrus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/codrus.md): A poet mentioned in pastoral contests, sometimes envied or mocked.
- [Thyrsis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/thyrsis.md): A shepherd who sings in a contest with Corydon in the seventh eclogue.
- [Phoebus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/phoebus.md): The god Apollo, patron of poetry and music, invoked by shepherds.
- [Augustus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/augustus.md): The Roman emperor, referenced as a divine figure granting peace to Tityrus.
- [Orpheus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/orpheus.md): The mythical musician, mentioned as a singer of surpassing skill.
- [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/apollo.md): The god of music and prophecy, appearing as an inspiration to poets.
- [Phoebe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/phoebe.md): A nymph or goddess associated with the moon, mentioned in pastoral verse.
- [Bavius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/bavius.md): A poet criticized by Menalcas, damned for his bad verse.
- [Maevius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/maevius.md): A poet cursed alongside Bavius by Menalcas.
- [Aegon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters/aegon.md): A shepherd mentioned as the owner of flocks in Damoetas's song.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eclogues_se/characters