Who’s Who in The Iliad

Son of Peleus and the goddess Thetis, leader of the Myrmidons, and the greatest warrior in the Achaean army. Angered when Agamemnon takes Briseis from him, Achilles withdraws from the fighting. His conflict with Agamemnon and the consequences of his anger form the central story of the Iliad. 

Father of Achilles, husband of Thetis, and king of the Myrmidons. Although he does not appear in the action of the poem, Achilles frequently remembers him and longs to return home to him. 

A sea goddess, daughter of Nereus, wife of Peleus, and mother of Achilles. Knowing that her son is destined to die young if he remains at Troy, she grieves for him and repeatedly appeals to the gods on his behalf. 

Son of Menoetius and Achilles’ closest companion. When Achilles refuses to return to battle, Patroclus puts on Achilles’ armour and leads the Myrmidons against the Trojans. His death becomes the turning point of the poem. 

Son of Amyntor and an elderly companion and adviser to Achilles. Peleus entrusted the young Achilles to his care. Phoenix joins the embassy sent by Agamemnon to persuade Achilles to return to the fighting. 

Daughter of Briseus and a captive woman awarded to Achilles after the Achaeans captured her city. Agamemnon’s decision to take her from Achilles causes the quarrel that begins the Iliad. 

Son of Diores, Achilles’ charioteer, and a member of the Myrmidons. He drives Achilles’ immortal horses and later fights alongside them after the death of Patroclus. 

Son of Atreus, brother of Menelaus, king of Mycenae, and commander of the Achaean army at Troy. His quarrel with Achilles over Briseis causes Achilles to withdraw from the fighting and sets the central conflict of the Iliad in motion. 

Son of Atreus, brother of Agamemnon, husband of Helen, and king of Sparta. His effort to recover Helen after she leaves with Paris is the immediate cause of the Trojan War. He is a courageous warrior but less powerful than several of the leading Achaean fighters. 

Son of Laertes, king of Ithaca, and one of the most intelligent and persuasive leaders in the Achaean army. Known for his resourcefulness and skill with words, he frequently advises the other leaders and helps restore order during disputes. 

King of Pylos and the oldest of the Achaean leaders at Troy. Respected for his experience, wisdom, and eloquence, he frequently advises the commanders and encourages reconciliation between Agamemnon and Achilles. 

Son of Tydeus, king of Argos, and one of the greatest Achaean warriors. With Athena’s support, he performs extraordinary feats in battle and even wounds the gods Aphrodite and Ares. 

Son of Deucalion, king of Crete, and an experienced Achaean commander. He is a courageous and dependable warrior who plays an important role in defending the Achaean ships. 

Son of Telamon, king of Salamis, and one of the strongest Achaean warriors. Often called Great Ajax or Telamonian Ajax, he is renowned for his enormous shield and repeatedly defends the Achaean army and ships. 

Son of Oileus and leader of the Locrians. Often called Little Ajax to distinguish him from the son of Telamon, he is a swift and capable warrior. 

Son of Nestor and a young Achaean warrior. Known for his courage and speed, he is close to Achilles and brings him the news of Patroclus’ death. 

Son of Molus, companion of Idomeneus, and one of the leaders of the Cretans. He is a skilled and courageous warrior who fights prominently in the defense of the Achaean ships and in the battle for Patroclus’ body. 

Son of Telamon and half-brother of Ajax. A highly skilled archer, he often fights from behind Ajax’s great shield and kills many Trojan warriors. 

Son of Asclepius and a physician in the Achaean army. He treats wounded warriors and also fights in battle. 

Son of Thestor and the principal prophet of the Achaean army. At the beginning of the Iliad, he explains that Apollo has sent the plague because Agamemnon dishonoured the priest Chryses. 

A herald serving Agamemnon. He carries out the commander’s orders and is sent with Eurybates to take Briseis from Achilles. 

A herald serving Agamemnon. He accompanies Talthybius when they are sent to take Briseis from Achilles. 

Priam 

King of Troy, husband of Hecuba, and father of Hector, Paris, and many other children. Elderly during the Trojan War, he is deeply affected by the deaths of his sons. Near the end of the Iliad, he enters the Achaean camp to ask Achilles for the return of Hector’s body. 

Wife of Priam, queen of Troy, and mother of Hector, Paris, and many other children. She grieves for the suffering and losses of her family and the city. 

Eldest son of Priam and Hecuba, husband of Andromache, father of Astyanax, and the greatest Trojan warrior. As Troy’s principal defender, he fights out of duty to his family and city. His death at the hands of Achilles is the central tragedy of the Iliad. 

Son of Priam and Hecuba and brother of Hector. Also called Alexander, he takes Helen from Sparta to Troy, helping bring about the Trojan War. Although a skilled archer, he is frequently criticized for avoiding the dangers of close combat. 

Daughter of Zeus, wife of Menelaus, and companion of Paris in Troy. Her departure from Sparta is the immediate cause of the Trojan War. In the Iliad, she regrets the suffering associated with her actions and speaks with admiration of the Achaean warriors. 

Daughter of Eëtion, wife of Hector, and mother of Astyanax. Her family was killed by Achilles before the events of the Iliad. She fears that Hector’s death will leave both her and their young son defenseless. 

Young son of Hector and Andromache. His parents call him Scamandrius, but the people of Troy call him Astyanax, meaning “lord of the city,” because Hector is Troy’s great defender. 

Daughter of Priam and Hecuba. Near the end of the Iliad, she is the first person in Troy to see Priam returning with Hector’s body. 

Son of Anchises and the goddess Aphrodite and leader of the Dardanians. One of the most important Trojan warriors, he receives divine protection several times during the fighting. 

Son of Zeus and Laodamia, king of the Lycians, and an important ally of Troy. He is a courageous warrior who criticizes Hector when the Trojan allies are not receiving sufficient support. His death causes Zeus great sorrow. 

Son of Hippolochus, grandson of Bellerophon, and a leader of the Lycian forces allied with Troy. When he and Diomedes discover that their families share an ancestral bond of friendship, they exchange armour rather than fight each other. 

Son of Lycaon and a skilled Trojan archer. Persuaded by Athena, who is disguised, he breaks the truce by shooting an arrow at Menelaus and helps renew the fighting between the Trojans and Achaeans. 

An elderly Trojan statesman and adviser. He argues that Helen should be returned to Menelaus and recalls the earlier visit Odysseus and Menelaus made to Troy. 

Son of Panthous, a Trojan warrior and trusted companion of Hector. Born on the same night as Hector, he is known for giving thoughtful advice, although Hector does not always follow it. 

Son of Priam and Hecuba and brother of Hector and Paris. A prominent Trojan warrior, he fights alongside Hector. During Hector’s final confrontation with Achilles, Athena assumes Deiphobus’ appearance and deceives Hector into believing that his brother has come to help him. 

Son of Priam and Hecuba, brother of Hector and Paris, and a skilled prophet. He advises Hector and the Trojans during the fighting. 

Son of Eumedes and a Trojan herald. He volunteers to spy on the Achaean camp in exchange for the promise of Achilles’ horses but is captured by Odysseus and Diomedes. 

Son of Cronos and Rhea, husband of Hera, and ruler of the Olympian gods. He oversees the course of the war and weighs the fates of mortals, while seeking to maintain authority among the frequently divided gods. 

Divine daughter of Cronos, wife of Zeus, and queen of the gods. Because of her hostility toward Troy, she strongly supports the Achaeans and repeatedly works to influence the course of the war in their favor. 

Divine daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom and warfare. She strongly supports the Achaeans, especially warriors such as Achilles, Odysseus, and Diomedes, and frequently intervenes in the fighting. 

Divine son of Zeus and Leto and brother of Artemis. A principal supporter of the Trojans, he sends a plague against the Achaean army after Agamemnon dishonours his priest Chryses and repeatedly assists Hector and the Trojan forces. 

Poseidon 

Divine son of Cronos and god of the sea. Although Zeus orders the gods not to interfere in the fighting, Poseidon secretly encourages and assists the Achaeans when the Trojans threaten their ships. 

Divine daughter of Zeus and mother of Aeneas. She supports the Trojans, particularly Paris and Aeneas. She rescues Paris from his duel with Menelaus and protects Aeneas when he is wounded. 

Son of Zeus and Hera and god of war. He initially promises to support the Achaeans but later fights on the Trojan side. Fierce and destructive, he represents the violent and uncontrolled aspects of warfare. 

Divine son of Hera and god of fire and metalworking. At Thetis’ request, he creates magnificent new armour for Achilles, including the richly decorated shield described in Book 18. 

A sea goddess, daughter of Nereus, wife of Peleus, and mother of Achilles. Knowing that her son is destined to die young, she grieves for him, appeals to Zeus on his behalf, and asks Hephaestus to make him new armour. 

Divine daughter of Zeus and Leto and sister of Apollo. Goddess of the hunt, she supports the Trojans during the war. 

Divine son of Zeus and messenger of the gods. Near the end of the Iliad, Zeus sends him to guide Priam safely through the Achaean camp to Achilles’ shelter. 

Divine messenger of the gods. She frequently carries commands and information between the gods and mortals and delivers important messages during the fighting. 

A priest of Apollo and father of Chryseis. When Agamemnon refuses to return his captured daughter, Chryses appeals to Apollo, who sends a deadly plague upon the Achaean army. 

Daughter of Chryses and a captive awarded to Agamemnon. Agamemnon is forced to return her to her father in order to end Apollo’s plague. He then takes Briseis from Achilles, causing the quarrel that begins the Iliad. 

The immortal horses of Achilles, given by the gods to Peleus and later inherited by Achilles. After Patroclus’ death, they stand motionless and grieve for their charioteer. Later, Hera briefly gives Xanthus the power to speak and foretell Achilles’ death.