The Iliad and The Odyssey characters

Appears from the start

The greatest warrior in the Greek army at Troy, renowned for speed and unmatched combat skill. Proud and intensely conscious of honor, he withdraws from battle after Agamemnon publicly takes the captive woman awarded to him, making their dispute the central crisis of the Greek campaign.

Appears from the start

King of Mycenae and commander of the assembled Greek forces at Troy. His refusal to yield a captive woman brings divine punishment on the army, and his later decision to take Achilles' prize turns a dispute over authority into a dangerous division among the Greeks.

Appears from the start

Achilles' closest companion and trusted member of his household. He remains with Achilles when their contingent withdraws from the fighting and carries out his friend's instructions.

Appears from the start

The sea goddess and mother of Achilles. She hears his grief after Agamemnon dishonors him and agrees to ask Zeus to let the Greeks suffer until they recognize her son's importance.

Also known as Pallas Athena

Appears from the start

Goddess of wisdom, strategy, and disciplined warfare. She supports the Greeks at Troy and restrains Achilles from killing Agamemnon during their quarrel, imposing divine control before his anger becomes murder.

Appears from the start

Ruler of the gods, whose decisions shape the balance of the Trojan War. He agrees to honor Achilles by allowing Trojan success, even though other gods have their own loyalties in the conflict.

Appears from the start

King of Ithaca, a leading Greek commander at Troy, and a persuasive speaker known for intelligence and self-control. He helps maintain order during the dispute in the army and undertakes difficult missions requiring judgment as well as courage.

First appears in chapter 3

The foremost Trojan warrior, eldest son of Priam, and defender of his city. He fights from duty to Troy and his family, providing a disciplined counterpart to the divided Greek champions.

Also known as Alexander

First appears in chapter 3

A Trojan prince whose taking of Helen from Menelaus caused the war. Handsome but unreliable in battle, he accepts a duel with Menelaus that offers a possible end to the conflict.

First appears in chapter 3

Wife of Menelaus, now living in Troy with Paris, whose departure with him stands at the origin of the war. She regrets the destruction associated with her choice and identifies the Greek commanders for Priam from the city wall.

First appears in chapter 3

The elderly king of Troy and father of Hector and Paris. Courteous even toward Helen and painfully aware of the cost of the war, he presides over a royal family whose fate is bound to the city's defense.

First appears in chapter 6

Hector's wife and the mother of their young son. Having already lost her birth family to war, she begs Hector to preserve himself, while he believes honor and duty require him to return to the defense of Troy.

First appears in chapter 25

The young son of Odysseus and Penelope, now nearing adulthood while disorder grows in his father's house. Athena urges him to challenge the suitors consuming his inheritance and to seek reliable news of Odysseus.

First appears in chapter 25

Odysseus' faithful wife and queen of Ithaca. Besieged by men demanding that she choose a new husband, she delays them while grieving for Odysseus and trying to protect her household and son.

First appears in chapter 25

The most aggressive of Penelope's suitors. Arrogant and wasteful, he dominates the men occupying Odysseus' palace and resents any challenge from Telemachus.

First appears in chapter 25

A goddess who has kept Odysseus on her remote island for years and wants him as her husband. Though she offers comfort and immortality, her love prevents him from returning to the mortal home he longs for.

First appears in chapter 30

A Phaeacian princess who encounters the shipwrecked Odysseus while washing clothes with her attendants. She responds to the stranger with courage and hospitality and explains how he can seek help from her parents.

First appears in chapter 33

A one-eyed Cyclops and son of Poseidon who traps Odysseus and his crew inside his cave. Immensely strong and contemptuous of hospitality, he treats the stranded sailors as prey.

First appears in chapter 34

A powerful enchantress living on Aeaea. She transforms members of Odysseus' crew into swine, but Odysseus approaches her protected by divine help and demands their restoration.

First appears in chapter 38

Odysseus' loyal swineherd in Ithaca. Though living modestly and believing his master may never return, he protects the estate's animals as best he can and offers generous hospitality to a stranger.