Character	Description	Traits
Achilles	Achilles is the greatest hero on the Achaean (Greek) side of the Trojan War, and he refuses to fight after being insulted. Read More	proud, swift, mighty, angry, unforgiving
Hector	Hector is the son of King Priam of Troy and the greatest hero on the Trojan side. Read More	brave, proud, honorable, strong, gentle
Agamemnon	Agamemnon is the king of Mycenae and leader of the Achaeans; he insults Achilles's pride. Read More	arrogant, entitled, unrepentant, ruthless
Priam	Priam is the king of Troy and father of Hector, Paris, and others. Read More	humble, kind, reasonable
Thetis	Thetis is a goddess of the sea and the mother of Achilles. Read More	devoted, worried, protective
Paris	Paris is the prince of Troy who stole Helen from Menelaus, starting the Trojan War. Read More	self-indulgent, shallow, dramatic, boastful
Patroclus	Patroclus is Achilles's closest friend and comrade-in-arms. Read More	brave, compassionate, loyal
Aeneas	Aeneas is a commander in the Trojan army, who is protected by his mother, the goddess Aphrodite.	brave, practical, devout
Andromache	Andromache is Hector's wife.
Apollo	Apollo, also known by the epithet "Phoebus," is the god of archers and medicine, who supports the Trojans.	fair, calm, compassionate, vengeful
Astyanax	Astyanax, whom Hector calls Scamandrius, is the son of Hector and Andromache.
Athena	Athena, also known by the epithet "Pallas," is the goddess of war and handicrafts, who supports the Achaeans.	angry, fierce, powerful, unforgiving, wise, gray-eyed
Briseis	Briseis is Achilles's prize who is taken from him by Agamemnon.
Chryseis	Chryseis is the daughter of Chryses, a priest of Apollo, who was taken as a prize by Agamemnon.
Diomedes	Diomedes, also called "Tydides," meaning "son of Tydeus," is an Achaean fighter known for his war cry who wounds two gods.	mighty, devout, brave
Glaucus	Glaucus is a leader of the Lycians who are allies of the Trojans.
Great Ajax	Ajax, son of Telamon (who should not be confused with Little Ajax, son of Oileus), is nearly a giant and the second-best fighter in the Achaean army.	gigantic, mighty, fearless
Hecuba	Hecuba is King Priam's wife and Hector's mother.
Helen	Helen is the former wife of King Menelaus, who was stolen by Prince Paris of Troy.	unhappy, remorseful, self-aware
Hera	Hera is the queen of the gods and wife of Zeus, who passionately hates the Trojans.	jealous, angry, underhanded
Menelaus	Menelaus, like his brother Agamemnon, is an Achaean king and son of Atreus, as well as the former husband of Helen.	subordinate, respectable, easygoing
Nestor	Nestor is the oldest commander in the Achaean army, who often provides wise advice and tells long stories.	respected, wise, long-winded
Odysseus	Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, is a wily captain in the Achaean army.	cunning, strong, well spoken, resourceful
Pandarus	Pandarus is a Trojan archer who hits Menelaus with an arrow, igniting the Achaeans to renew the fight.
Phoenix	Phoenix is one of the Achaean commanders and is known for having raised Achilles.
Polydamas	Polydamas is a commander in the Trojan army whose advice Hector fatefully doesn't take.	clear-sighted, wise, brave
Poseidon	Poseidon, who is the brother of Zeus, is the god of the sea.	powerful, cunning, authoritative
Sarpedon	Sarpedon is Zeus's son and the commander of the Trojan allies from Lycia whom he cannot save.	bold, responsible
Thersites	Thersites is a common foot soldier who acts with insubordination in arguing with Agamemnon.
Zeus	Zeus is the king of the gods, who agrees to punish the Achaeans for the insult to Achilles's honor.	powerful, authoritative, tricky

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The Iliad | Characters