Character guide

Achilles

major

Also known as Pelides, Aeacides, Prince Achilles, Great Achilles, swift Achilles, godlike Achilles

The greatest Greek warrior, whose wrath drives the plot of the Iliad.

Hector

major

Also known as crested Hector, plumed Hector, mighty Hector, the Trojan knight Hector, royal Hector

The greatest Trojan warrior and defender of Troy, son of Priam.

Agamemnon

major

Also known as Atrides, Wide-ruling Agamemnon, King Agamemnon, noble Agamemnon

King of Mycenae and leader of the Greek expedition against Troy.

Priam

major

Also known as King Priam, Dardanian Priam, aged Priam, godlike Priam, royal Priam

Aged king of Troy, father of Hector and Paris.

Patroclus

major

Also known as Menoetiades, knight Patroclus, Noble Patroclus, the gallant Menoetiades

Achilles' beloved companion, whose death spurs Achilles to return to battle.

Odysseus

major

Also known as Ulysses, wise Ulysses, Renowned Ulysses, divine Ulysses

Cunning Greek king of Ithaca, a key counselor and warrior.

Ajax

major

Also known as Telamonian Ajax, mighty Ajax, Ajax Telamon, the great Ajax

The mightiest Greek warrior after Achilles, known for his strength and shield.

Diomedes

supporting

Also known as Tydides, brave Tydides, valiant Diomed, Diomed

Greek hero who wounds gods and leads a night raid with Odysseus.

Nestor

supporting

Also known as Gerenian Nestor, reverend Nestor, aged Nestor, Neleian Nestor

Aged Greek king of Pylos, known for his wisdom and long-winded advice.

Menelaus

supporting

Also known as Atrides, fair-haired Menelaus, valiant Menelaus, warlike Menelaus

King of Sparta, husband of Helen, and brother of Agamemnon.

Paris

supporting

Also known as Alexander, guilty Paris, graceful Paris, Prince Paris

Trojan prince who abducted Helen, sparking the war; a skilled archer.

Aeneas

supporting

Also known as brave Aeneas

Trojan prince, son of Anchises and Venus, a formidable warrior.

Sarpedon

supporting

Also known as King Sarpedon, Noble Sarpedon, great Sarpedon, Godlike Sarpedon

Lycian king and ally of Troy, son of Jupiter, slain by Patroclus.

Glaucus

supporting

Also known as noble Glaucus, Glaucus the renowned, Beloved Glaucus

Lycian commander who exchanges armor with Diomedes in a famous scene.

Andromache

supporting

Also known as White-armed Andromache

Wife of Hector, whose farewell scene is one of the epic's most poignant.

Helen

supporting

Also known as Argive Helen, fair-haired Helen

Wife of Menelaus, whose abduction by Paris caused the Trojan War.

Zeus

major

Also known as Jove, Father Jove, Saturnian Jove, Olympian Jove, Cloud-compelling Jove

King of the gods, who oversees the war from Mount Ida.

Hera

supporting

Also known as Juno, Argive Juno, queenly Juno, imperial Juno

Queen of the gods, who fiercely supports the Greeks against Troy.

Athena

supporting

Also known as Pallas, Pallas Athene, Blue-eyed Pallas, Minerva

Goddess of wisdom and war, a staunch ally of the Greeks.

Apollo

supporting

Also known as Phoebus Apollo, Phoebus, the archer-god Apollo

God of archery and plague, who supports the Trojans.

Poseidon

supporting

Also known as Neptune, Earth-shaking Neptune, Dark-haired Neptune, mighty Neptune

God of the sea, who aids the Greeks against Troy.

Thetis

supporting

Also known as Silver-footed Thetis, cruel Thetis

Sea nymph and mother of Achilles, who pleads with Zeus for her son.

Iris

minor

Also known as Fleet-footed Iris, Swift-footed Iris, Wind-footed Iris

Messenger goddess of the gods, often bearing commands from Zeus.

Hephaestus

minor

Also known as Vulcan, Lame Vulcan

God of fire and forge, who crafts Achilles' new armor.

Aphrodite

minor

Also known as Venus, golden Venus, laughing Venus

Goddess of love, who protects Paris and Aeneas.

Ares

minor

Also known as Mars, mighty Mars, Shield-breaking Mars, murderous Mars

God of war, who fights on the Trojan side.

Hermes

minor

Also known as Beneficent Hermes, Argus-queller Hermes, Mercury

Messenger god who guides Priam to Achilles' tent.

Idomeneus

supporting

Also known as brave Idomeneus, stout Idomeneus, great Idomeneus

Cretan king and Greek commander, a fierce warrior in battle.

Meriones

minor

Also known as brave Meriones, discreet Meriones

Cretan warrior and charioteer, companion of Idomeneus.

Teucer

minor

Also known as blameless Teucer, Dear Teucer

Half-brother of Ajax and a skilled Greek archer.

Antilochus

minor

Also known as renowned Antilochus, discreet Antilochus, warlike Antilochus

Son of Nestor, a swift Greek warrior and friend of Achilles.

Eurypylus

minor

Also known as Gallant Eurypylus, brave Eurypylus

Greek commander wounded in battle, treated by Patroclus.

Machaon

minor

Also known as great Machaon, leech Machaon, Noble Machaon

Greek healer and surgeon, son of Asclepius.

Calchas

minor

Also known as seer Calchas

Greek prophet who interprets omens for the army.

Phoenix

minor

Aged tutor and companion of Achilles, part of the embassy to him.

Briseis

minor

Also known as fair Briseis

Captive woman taken by Achilles, whose seizure by Agamemnon sparks the quarrel.

Chryseis

minor

Daughter of Chryses, taken by Agamemnon, causing Apollo's plague.

Chryses

minor

Priest of Apollo who begs for his daughter's return.

Hector

major

Also known as Hector of the beamy helm, plumèd Hector

Trojan prince and commander, son of Priam and Hecuba.

Polydamas

minor

Also known as brave Polydamas, excellent Polydamas

Trojan commander and advisor, often cautious against Hector's rashness.

Pandarus

minor

Also known as godlike Pandarus

Trojan archer who breaks the truce by shooting Menelaus.

Dolon

minor

Trojan spy captured and killed by Diomedes and Odysseus.

Rhesus

minor

Thracian king and ally of Troy, killed in his sleep by Diomedes.

Lycaon

minor

Trojan prince, son of Priam, captured and later killed by Achilles.

Asteropaeus

minor

Lycian warrior who fights Achilles at the river Scamander.

Euphorbus

minor

Trojan who wounds Patroclus before Hector kills him.

Automedon

minor

Also known as Godlike Automedon

Achilles' charioteer, who drives his horses into battle.

Alcimedon

minor

Also known as valorous Alcimedon

Greek warrior who takes the reins from Automedon.

Hecuba

minor

Also known as Queen Hecuba

Queen of Troy, wife of Priam, mother of Hector and Paris.

Cassandra

minor

Trojan princess, daughter of Priam, gifted with prophecy but cursed to be disbelieved.

Deiphobus

minor

Trojan prince, son of Priam, who fights alongside Hector.

Polites

minor

Trojan prince, son of Priam, known for his speed.

Agenor

minor

Also known as Magnanimous Agenor, great Agenor

Trojan warrior who briefly confronts Achilles.

Socus

minor

Also known as warlike Socus

Trojan who wounds Odysseus in battle.

Coon

minor

Also known as Illustrious Coön

Trojan who wounds Agamemnon before being killed.

Iphidamas

minor

Trojan warrior killed by Agamemnon.

Cebriones

minor

Also known as brave Cebriones

Hector's charioteer, killed by Patroclus.

Gorgythion

minor

Trojan prince, son of Priam, killed by Teucer's arrow.

Simoisius

minor

Trojan warrior killed by Ajax in his first appearance.

Echepolus

minor

Trojan champion killed by Antilochus.

Elephenor

minor

Greek leader of the Abantes, killed by Agenor.

Tlepolemus

minor

Greek hero, son of Hercules, killed by Sarpedon.

Phegeus

minor

Trojan warrior killed by Diomedes.

Idaeus

minor

Trojan herald, son of Dares.

Pedasus

minor

Trojan warrior killed by Euryalus.

Adrestus

minor

Trojan warrior spared then killed by Menelaus.

Asius

minor

Also known as King Asius

Trojan ally from Phrygia, killed by Idomeneus.

Deucalion

minor

Also known as good Deucalion

Trojan warrior killed by Achilles.

Lycon

minor

Trojan warrior killed by Peneleus.

Peneleus

minor

Also known as brave Peneleus

Greek leader of the Boeotians.

Leitus

minor

Also known as Brave Leitus

Greek leader of the Boeotians.

Menestheus

minor

Also known as brave Menestheus

Greek leader of the Athenians.

Thoas

minor

Greek leader of the Aetolians.

Eumelus

minor

Also known as King Eumelus

Greek king of Pherae, son of Admetus.

Sthenelus

minor

Greek warrior, son of Capaneus, charioteer of Diomedes.

Euryalus

minor

Greek warrior who competes in the funeral games.

Thrasymedes

minor

Also known as godlike Thrasymedes

Son of Nestor, a Greek commander.

Antiphus

minor

Son of Priam, killed by Agamemnon.

Isus

minor

Son of Priam, killed by Agamemnon.