The Characters of Iliad

A list of characters who took part in Homer’s Iliad.

Helen – daughter of Zeus and Leda. She was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was married to Menelaus, but she went to Troy with Paris.

The Achaians (Greeks)

Achilles - leader of the Myrmidons. He is the greatest Achaian warrior, though he has excessive pride.

Agamemnon - brother of Menelaus. He is the king of Mycenae and commander of the movement against Troy.

Ajax - known for being strong and courageous.

Ajax the lesser - a great but insolent warrior.

Automedon - charioteer of Achilles.

Diomedes - one of the bravest and greatest Achains. He is reasonable and courteous.

Antilochus - son of Nestor. He is a young but brave warrior.

Calchas - prophet and omen reader.

Menelaus - husband of Helen and brother of Agamemnon.

Nestor - the oldest Achaian warrior. He was the wisdom and experience. He can no longer engage in battle but  he remains at the front lines commanding his troops.

Idomeneus - one of the Achaian leaders.

The Myrmidons - Achilles’ army.

Odysseus – a brave warrior-king. He will later appear on another epic by Homer (Odysseus).

Patroclus – close friend of Achilles.

The Trojans

Aeneas - son of Aphrodite and Achises. He is second in command of the Trojan army. He will later appear on Virgil’s Aeneid.

Antenor - a Trojan but is in favor of the return of Helen to the Achaians.

Cassandra - daughter of Priam and Hecuba. A sister of Hector and Paris. She is also a prophetess.

Andromache - wife of Hector.

Astyanax - son of Hector and Andromache.

Chryseis - daughter of Chryses. She is rewarded to Agamemnon.

Hector - Trojan prince, son of Priam and Hecumba. He is the chief of the Trojan army.

Dolon - he was capture by Odysseus and Diomedes when they were spying at night.

Pandarus - good with the bow and arrow.

Hecuba - wife of Priam. She is the queen of Troy.

Priam - Trojan king. One of the few Trojans who respects Helen despite the chaos she brought.

Gods and Goddesses who favor the Achaians

Hera - queen of the gods, wife of Zeus.

Athena - goddess of wisdom.

Hermes - messenger of the gods.

Poseidon - brother of Zeus. He is the god of the sea.

Thetis - mother of Achilles.

Gods and Goddesses who favor the Trojans

Aphrodite - goddess of love. She is the mother of Aeneas

Apollo - brother of Artemis. He is the god of prophecy, light, poetry and music.

Ares - god of war. He is a lover of Aphrodite.

Artemis - sister of Apollo. She is the goddess of chastity, hunting and wild animals.

Zeus - king of the gods. He is actually neutral, but in some cases favoring the Trojans.