# The Iliad — Character guide

> Key figures in The Iliad by Homer.

- [Achilles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/achilles.md): The greatest Greek warrior, whose wrath drives the plot of the Iliad.
- [Hector](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hector.md): The greatest Trojan warrior and defender of Troy, son of Priam.
- [Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/agamemnon.md): King of Mycenae and leader of the Greek expedition against Troy.
- [Priam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/priam.md): Aged king of Troy, father of Hector and Paris.
- [Patroclus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/patroclus.md): Achilles' beloved companion, whose death spurs Achilles to return to battle.
- [Odysseus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/odysseus.md): Cunning Greek king of Ithaca, a key counselor and warrior.
- [Ajax](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/ajax_telamon.md): The mightiest Greek warrior after Achilles, known for his strength and shield.
- [Diomedes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/diomedes.md): Greek hero who wounds gods and leads a night raid with Odysseus.
- [Nestor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/nestor.md): Aged Greek king of Pylos, known for his wisdom and long-winded advice.
- [Menelaus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/menelaus.md): King of Sparta, husband of Helen, and brother of Agamemnon.
- [Paris](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/paris.md): Trojan prince who abducted Helen, sparking the war; a skilled archer.
- [Aeneas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/aeneas.md): Trojan prince, son of Anchises and Venus, a formidable warrior.
- [Sarpedon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/sarpedon.md): Lycian king and ally of Troy, son of Jupiter, slain by Patroclus.
- [Glaucus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/glaucus.md): Lycian commander who exchanges armor with Diomedes in a famous scene.
- [Andromache](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/andromache.md): Wife of Hector, whose farewell scene is one of the epic's most poignant.
- [Helen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/helen.md): Wife of Menelaus, whose abduction by Paris caused the Trojan War.
- [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/zeus.md): King of the gods, who oversees the war from Mount Ida.
- [Hera](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hera.md): Queen of the gods, who fiercely supports the Greeks against Troy.
- [Athena](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/athena.md): Goddess of wisdom and war, a staunch ally of the Greeks.
- [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/apollo.md): God of archery and plague, who supports the Trojans.
- [Poseidon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/poseidon.md): God of the sea, who aids the Greeks against Troy.
- [Thetis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/thetis.md): Sea nymph and mother of Achilles, who pleads with Zeus for her son.
- [Iris](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/iris.md): Messenger goddess of the gods, often bearing commands from Zeus.
- [Hephaestus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hephaestus.md): God of fire and forge, who crafts Achilles' new armor.
- [Aphrodite](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/aphrodite.md): Goddess of love, who protects Paris and Aeneas.
- [Ares](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/ares.md): God of war, who fights on the Trojan side.
- [Hermes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hermes.md): Messenger god who guides Priam to Achilles' tent.
- [Idomeneus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/idomeneus.md): Cretan king and Greek commander, a fierce warrior in battle.
- [Meriones](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/meriones.md): Cretan warrior and charioteer, companion of Idomeneus.
- [Teucer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/teucer.md): Half-brother of Ajax and a skilled Greek archer.
- [Antilochus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/antilochus.md): Son of Nestor, a swift Greek warrior and friend of Achilles.
- [Eurypylus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/eurypylus.md): Greek commander wounded in battle, treated by Patroclus.
- [Machaon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/machaon.md): Greek healer and surgeon, son of Asclepius.
- [Calchas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/calchas.md): Greek prophet who interprets omens for the army.
- [Phoenix](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/phoenix.md): Aged tutor and companion of Achilles, part of the embassy to him.
- [Briseis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/briseis.md): Captive woman taken by Achilles, whose seizure by Agamemnon sparks the quarrel.
- [Chryseis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/chryseis.md): Daughter of Chryses, taken by Agamemnon, causing Apollo's plague.
- [Chryses](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/chryses.md): Priest of Apollo who begs for his daughter's return.
- [Hector](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hector_son_of_priam.md): Trojan prince and commander, son of Priam and Hecuba.
- [Polydamas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/polydamas.md): Trojan commander and advisor, often cautious against Hector's rashness.
- [Pandarus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/pandarus.md): Trojan archer who breaks the truce by shooting Menelaus.
- [Dolon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/dolon.md): Trojan spy captured and killed by Diomedes and Odysseus.
- [Rhesus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/rhesus.md): Thracian king and ally of Troy, killed in his sleep by Diomedes.
- [Lycaon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/lycaon.md): Trojan prince, son of Priam, captured and later killed by Achilles.
- [Asteropaeus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/asteropaeus.md): Lycian warrior who fights Achilles at the river Scamander.
- [Euphorbus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/euphorbus.md): Trojan who wounds Patroclus before Hector kills him.
- [Automedon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/automedon.md): Achilles' charioteer, who drives his horses into battle.
- [Alcimedon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/alcimedon.md): Greek warrior who takes the reins from Automedon.
- [Hecuba](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hecube.md): Queen of Troy, wife of Priam, mother of Hector and Paris.
- [Cassandra](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/cassandra.md): Trojan princess, daughter of Priam, gifted with prophecy but cursed to be disbelieved.
- [Deiphobus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/deiphobus.md): Trojan prince, son of Priam, who fights alongside Hector.
- [Polites](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/polites.md): Trojan prince, son of Priam, known for his speed.
- [Agenor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/agenor.md): Trojan warrior who briefly confronts Achilles.
- [Coon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/coon.md): Trojan who wounds Agamemnon before being killed.
- [Cebriones](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/cebriones.md): Hector's charioteer, killed by Patroclus.
- [Gorgythion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/gorgythion.md): Trojan prince, son of Priam, killed by Teucer's arrow.
- [Simoisius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/simoisius.md): Trojan warrior killed by Ajax in his first appearance.
- [Elephenor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/elephenor.md): Greek leader of the Abantes, killed by Agenor.
- [Tlepolemus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/tlepolemus.md): Greek hero, son of Hercules, killed by Sarpedon.
- [Adrestus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/adrestus.md): Trojan warrior spared then killed by Menelaus.
- [Asius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/asius.md): Trojan ally from Phrygia, killed by Idomeneus.
- [Sthenelus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/sthenelus.md): Greek warrior, son of Capaneus, charioteer of Diomedes.
- [Euryalus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/euryalus.md): Greek warrior who competes in the funeral games.

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