The Oresteia characters

Appears from the start

A palace guard ordered by Clytemnestra to watch from the roof of the royal house for the signal that Troy has fallen. The long vigil has made him weary, and the condition of Agamemnon's household tempers his relief when the beacon finally appears.

Also known as Queen of Argos

Appears from the start

Agamemnon's wife and ruler of Argos during his ten-year absence at Troy. Politically assured and difficult for the city's elders to read, she has maintained a chain of beacons to bring the first news of victory and prepares to receive the returning king.

Also known as Argive Elders

Appears from the start

Elderly citizens of Argos who remained home during the Trojan War. They preserve the city's memory of the expedition, including Agamemnon's sacrifice of Iphigenia, and observe the palace with respect for royal authority mixed with fear of inherited violence.

Also known as Herald

First appears in chapter 2

Agamemnon's herald and the first returning member of the Greek army to reach the palace. He confirms Troy's destruction, celebrates his arrival home, and reports that a storm scattered the fleet on its voyage back.

Also known as King of Argos

First appears in chapter 2

Commander of the Greek expedition and king of Argos, returning after Troy's fall. He brings the captive prophet Cassandra with him and is wary when Clytemnestra asks him to enter the palace on costly fabrics, an honor grand enough to risk divine resentment.

Also known as Princess of Troy

First appears in chapter 2

A daughter of Troy's royal house brought to Argos as Agamemnon's captive. Apollo gave her true prophetic sight but condemned her warnings to disbelief. Silent at first outside the palace, she stands apart from the celebration surrounding the Greek king's return.

First appears in chapter 3

Agamemnon's cousin and the son of Thyestes, whose family was attacked by Agamemnon's father, Atreus. He appears after Agamemnon's murder, claims the killing as repayment for the atrocities against his own family, and intends to rule Argos with Clytemnestra.

Also known as Son of Agamemnon

First appears in chapter 4

Agamemnon and Clytemnestra's son, grown to manhood in exile. He returns secretly to Argos under an order from Apollo to avenge his father, beginning at Agamemnon's grave with his companion Pylades.

First appears in chapter 4

A prince of Phocis and Orestes' loyal companion during his return from exile. Quiet but steadfast, he supports Orestes' mission to enter the palace and punish Agamemnon's killers.

Also known as Daughter of Agamemnon

First appears in chapter 4

The daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, still living under the rulers who killed her father. Sent to Agamemnon's tomb with offerings after Clytemnestra has an ominous dream, she hopes for Orestes' return and struggles against the commands of the palace.

Also known as Libation Bearers

First appears in chapter 4

Enslaved women who accompany Electra to Agamemnon's tomb. Hostile to the palace rulers and sympathetic to Agamemnon's children, they guide Electra's ritual, support her reunion with Orestes, and help the plan of revenge.

Also known as Nurse

First appears in chapter 5

Orestes' former nurse, still serving in the palace. She sincerely grieves a false report that Orestes has died and is sent to bring Aegisthus to hear the news from the supposed travelers.

Also known as Erinyes

First appears in chapter 5

Ancient avenging spirits who punish bloodshed within a family. They appear to Orestes after he kills Clytemnestra and pursue him relentlessly for shedding his mother's blood, regardless of his duty to avenge his father.

Also known as Apollo

First appears in chapter 6

The god whose oracle ordered Orestes to punish Agamemnon's killers. At Delphi he protects and purifies Orestes, accepts responsibility for the command, and directs him toward Athens for a final judgment on the Furies' charge.

Also known as Pythian Priestess

First appears in chapter 6

Apollo's priestess at Delphi. She enters the sanctuary to begin her prophetic duties but retreats in terror after finding Orestes surrounded by the sleeping Furies.

Also known as Pallas Athena

First appears in chapter 7

The patron goddess of Athens, called upon by Orestes when the Furies catch him at her shrine. Recognizing that the dispute raises competing claims of justice, she refuses to decide it by private authority alone and summons citizens to hear the case.