# The Odyssey — Character guide

> Key figures in The Odyssey by Homer.

- [Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/ulysses.md): The protagonist, a cunning Greek hero striving to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
- [Telemachus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/telemachus.md): The son of Ulysses, who matures from a youth into a decisive leader during his father's absence.
- [Penelope](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/penelope.md): The faithful wife of Ulysses, who cleverly delays remarrying the suitors for years.
- [Pallas Athene](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/pallas_athene.md): The goddess of wisdom who actively guides and protects Ulysses and Telemachus.
- [Jove](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/jove.md): The king of the gods, who ultimately decrees the fate of Ulysses and the suitors.
- [Neptune](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/neptune.md): The god of the sea who relentlessly opposes Ulysses' return home.
- [Eumaeus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/eumaeus.md): The loyal swineherd of Ulysses who shelters him upon his return to Ithaca.
- [Eurycleia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/eurycleia.md): The old nurse of Ulysses who recognizes him by a scar on his foot.
- [Antinoüs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/antinous.md): The most arrogant and violent of Penelope's suitors, often leading their insolence.
- [Eurymachus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/eurymachus.md): A leading suitor of Penelope, second only to Antinoüs in influence and cunning.
- [Nestor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/nestor.md): The wise old king of Pylos who advises Telemachus on his journey.
- [Menelaus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/menelaus.md): The king of Sparta and brother of Agamemnon, who hosts Telemachus and tells of Ulysses.
- [Helen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/helen.md): The wife of Menelaus, whose abduction sparked the Trojan War, now reconciled in Sparta.
- [Calypso](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/calypso.md): A goddess-nymph who detains Ulysses on her island for seven years, seeking him as a husband.
- [Nausicaä](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/nausicaa.md): The Phaeacian princess who discovers Ulysses on the shore and leads him to her father's court.
- [Alcinoüs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/alcino%C3%BCs.md): The king of the Phaeacians who hosts Ulysses and provides him a ship home.
- [Aretè](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/arete.md): The queen of the Phaeacians, wife of Alcinoüs, who respects Ulysses' plea for aid.
- [Demodocus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/demodocus.md): The blind bard of the Phaeacians who sings of the Trojan War and Ulysses' deeds.
- [Cyclops](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/cyclops.md): A one-eyed giant son of Neptune who traps and is blinded by Ulysses.
- [Circè](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/circ%C3%A8.md): A powerful enchantress who turns Ulysses' men into swine and later becomes his ally.
- [Eurylochus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/eurylochus.md): A cautious officer among Ulysses' crew who survives Circe's trap and warns the others.
- [Tiresias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/tiresias.md): The blind prophet of Thebes whom Ulysses consults in the underworld for guidance home.
- [Elpenor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/elpenor.md): A young crewman of Ulysses who dies in a fall at Circe's palace and is buried later.
- [Scylla](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/scylla.md): A six-headed sea monster who devours six of Ulysses' men as they pass her strait.
- [Charybdis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/charybdis.md): A dangerous whirlpool opposite Scylla that threatens Ulysses' ship on his voyage.
- [Laertes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/laertes.md): The aged father of Ulysses, living in seclusion on Ithaca until his son's return.
- [Melanthius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/melanthius.md): A treacherous goatherd who sides with the suitors and insults Ulysses in his own hall.
- [Melantho](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/melantho.md): A disloyal maidservant in Ulysses' palace who mocks him and consorts with the suitors.
- [Irus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/irus.md): A beggar in Ithaca who challenges Ulysses to a fight and is easily defeated.
- [Philoetius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/philoetius.md): A loyal cowherd of Ulysses who helps him in the battle against the suitors.
- [Theoclymenus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/theoclymenus.md): A prophet who travels with Telemachus and foresees doom for the suitors.
- [Piraeus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/piraeus.md): A loyal Ithacan who hosts Theoclymenus and later returns Telemachus' gifts.
- [Medon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/medon.md): A herald in Ulysses' palace who is spared during the slaughter of the suitors.
- [Phemius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/phemius.md): A bard in Ithaca forced to entertain the suitors, later spared by Ulysses.
- [Amphinomus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/amphinomus.md): A relatively decent suitor who is killed despite Ulysses' warning to leave.
- [Ctesippus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/ctesippus.md): A rude suitor who throws a cow's hoof at Ulysses during the feast.
- [Leiodes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/leiodes.md): A suitor who serves as a priest and is killed despite pleading for mercy.
- [Agelaüs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/agelaus.md): A suitor who speaks for the group and is slain by Ulysses during the battle.
- [Eupeithes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/eupeithes.md): Father of Antinoüs who leads an uprising against Ulysses after the suitors' deaths.
- [Dolius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/dolius.md): An old servant of Laertes who rejoices at Ulysses' return and helps in the final battle.
- [Hermes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/hermes.md): The messenger god who delivers Jove's commands to Calypso and aids Ulysses.
- [Aeolus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/aeolus.md): The keeper of the winds who gives Ulysses a bag of winds to help him sail home.
- [Antiphates](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/antiphates.md): The king of the man-eating Laestrygonians who destroys all but one of Ulysses' ships.
- [Achilles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/achilles.md): The fallen Greek hero whom Ulysses meets in the underworld, lamenting his fate.
- [Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/agamemnon.md): The slain Greek king whom Ulysses encounters in the underworld, recounting his murder.
- [Ajax](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/ajax.md): A Greek hero who refuses to speak to Ulysses in the underworld due to past enmity.
- [Proteus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/proteus.md): A shape-shifting sea god who Menelaus captures to learn how to return home.
- [Peisistratus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/peisistratus.md): The son of Nestor who accompanies Telemachus on his journey to Sparta.
- [Mentor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/mentor.md): An Ithacan friend of Ulysses whose form Athene often takes to guide Telemachus.
- [Euryalus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/euryalus.md): A Phaeacian prince who insults Ulysses and later gives him a gift in apology.
- [Laodamas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/laodamas.md): A Phaeacian prince who challenges Ulysses to athletic contests.
- [Vulcan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/vulcan.md): The god of fire and craftsmanship, who traps Mars and Venus in a net.
- [Mars](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/mars.md): The god of war, caught in an affair with Venus by Vulcan's trap.
- [Venus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/venus.md): The goddess of love, caught in an affair with Mars by Vulcan.
- [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/apollo.md): The god of archery and prophecy, invoked by characters throughout the epic.
- [Diana](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/diana.md): The goddess of the hunt, occasionally referenced in oaths and prayers.
- [Juno](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/juno.md): The queen of the gods, mentioned in the context of the Trojan War.
- [Pluto](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/pluto.md): The god of the underworld, ruling over the realm of the dead.
- [Proserpine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/proserpine.md): The queen of the underworld, wife of Pluto, encountered by Ulysses.
- [Sirens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/sirens.md): Enchanting creatures whose song lures sailors to their deaths, resisted by Ulysses.
- [Eurynomè](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/eury_nome.md): A loyal maidservant in Penelope's household who assists her and Ulysses.
- [Noëmon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/noemon.md): An Ithacan who lends Telemachus a ship for his journey to Pylos.
- [Antilochus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/antilochus.md): A Greek hero and son of Nestor, mentioned in the underworld as a fallen warrior.
- [Orestes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/orestes.md): Son of Agamemnon who avenges his father's murder, cited as a model for Telemachus.
- [Idomeneus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/idomeneus.md): A Cretan Greek hero who fought at Troy, mentioned in Nestor's tales.
- [Phaeacians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/phaeacians.md): A seafaring people who host Ulysses and famously convey him home to Ithaca.
- [Lotus Eaters](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/lotus_eaters.md): A peaceful people whose lotus fruit causes Ulysses' men to lose desire to return home.
- [Ciconians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/ciconians.md): A Thracian tribe attacked by Ulysses after leaving Troy, leading to losses.
- [Laestrygonians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/laestrygonians.md): A race of giant cannibals who destroy all but one of Ulysses' ships.
- [Hercules](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/hercules.md): A legendary hero whose shade Ulysses encounters in the underworld.
- [Tantalus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/tantalus.md): A figure in the underworld punished with eternal hunger and thirst, seen by Ulysses.
- [Sisyphus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/sisyphus.md): A figure in the underworld eternally pushing a boulder uphill, observed by Ulysses.
- [Autolycus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/autolycus.md): The maternal grandfather of Ulysses, a renowned thief and trickster.
- [Icarius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/icarius.md): The father of Penelope, mentioned in addresses to her.
- [Atreus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/atreus.md): The father of Agamemnon and Menelaus, mentioned in genealogical references.
- [Peleus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/peleus.md): The father of Achilles, mentioned in the context of his son's glory.
- [Echeneüs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/eche_neus.md): An elder Phaeacian who advises Alcinoüs to honor Ulysses.
- [Nausithoüs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/nausithous.md): The former king of the Phaeacians, father of Alcinoüs, mentioned in their history.
- [Amphiaraüs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/amphiaraus.md): A prophet and hero whose shade is seen by Ulysses in the underworld.
- [Clytemnestra](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/clytemnestra.md): The wife of Agamemnon who conspired in his murder, mentioned in the underworld.
- [Aegisthus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/aegisthus.md): The lover of Clytemnestra who helped murder Agamemnon, later killed by Orestes.

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