English II

Ms. V.
Fall 2020
Iliad character list

Name: _______Yuman Li_______________

Date: _______________
Name Greek/Trojan? Epithet About them How do they end up?
Zeus Neutral Wide-seeing Zeus is the King of Gods and rules over the At the end, when Hector’s funeral is going on,
Zeus world. He is also the husband of Hera. He Zeus sends Iris down and asks him to transport
claims to be neutral about the Trojan War, Hector’s body back to Troy. Zeus states that he
but his various approaches lead readers to is keeping the neutral attitude about this war
think that he is more on Trojan side. He had throughout the poem. However, since Achilles’
been watching the war on earth from mother, Thetis comes beg him to let Trojan win
Olympus and had been trying to persuade this time, he helps Trojan a little bit.
the Gods and Goddesses not to take part in
it.
Hera Greek Ox-eyed lady Hera is the Queen of Gods and also wife of At the end, the Gods are talking about Hector
Hera Zeus. She is the only wife of Zeus who gets and his body. Hera says she does not agree
Zeus’s share of power. Hera is a very willful with Apollo that Hector always honored the
goddess. She often quarreled with Zeus and Gods, and Achilles’ behavior is completely
took Athena with her to resist Troy because inappropriate. Hera always supports Greek and
the Trojan Prince Paris gave the golden she often sends Athena down to help Greek.
apple to the Goddess of love, Aphrodite.
Athena Greek Bright-eyed Athena is the Goddess of wisdom. She is At the end, Gods all pity Hector and wants to
Athena also the daughter of Zeus. She also hates steel his body, Athena refused the idea, along
Trojan because of the golden apple. She with Hera and Poseidon. She supports Greek
often gives helps to Greek during the Trojan and she always helps Greek in the war. She
War. even delights Diomedes, who later kills a lot of
Trojans.
Aphrodite Trojan Laughter- Aphrodite is the Goddess of love. She is Aphrodite is guarding Hector’s corpse from
loving also the daughter of Zeus. She gets the wild animals without Achilles knowing it at the
 Aphrodite golden apple from Paris because she end. Aphrodite supports Trojans. She protects
promised to Paris that if he gives it to her, her son Aeneas from Diomedes and saves the
she will help him to get the most beautiful hapless Paris from the wrath of Menelaus.
woman in the world who is Helen.
Therefore, she helps Trojan a lot during the
Trojan War.
Ares Trojan Slayer of men Ares is the God of War. He is also the At the end, Ares stabs at Athena, but fails to
Ares husband of Aphrodite and son of Zeus. Even pierce her divine shield. Ares supports Trojans.
though he is the God of War, he gives a He rallies the Trojans against Neoptolemus.
poor showing during the war. He switches
his sides in the mid-battle to help the
Trojans. However, he is defeated by his
sister, Athena, twice, and runs crying to his
father, Zeus like a child.
Apollo Trojan Destroyer of Apollo is the God of Sun. He is also the son At the end, Apollo uses his divine power to
mice Apollo of Zeus. He sends a plague upon the prevent any damage to Hector’s corpse, and he
Achaeans because Agamemnon has thinks that Hector honored the Gods, but
dishonored his priest, Chryses. He supports Achilles’ behavior is inappropriate. Apollo
Trojans and always aids them in the middle supports Trojan. He always helps Hector to
of fighting. He complaint about the attack Achaeans, and he helps Trojans to
treatment of Hector’s corpse leads the Gods wounds Patroclaus.
to arrange the ransom of the body by Priam.
Thetis Greek Silver-footed Thetis is the Goddess of the Sea. She is also At the end, Thetis goes down to talk with his
Thetis the divine mother of Achilles. She foretold son, Achilles, and delivers Zeus’ message
the fate of Achilles, interceded with Zeus on which ask Achilles to give Hector’s body back
his behalf, mourned Patroclus's death, and to Priam. Thetis supports Greek. She always
brought her son sacred armor made by the helps his son who is Achaean.
god Hephaestus.
Poseidon Trojan Earth-shaker Poseidon is the God of the Sea. He is also At the end, Gods pity Hector and consider
Poseidon the brother of Zeus. He is a supporter of sending Hermes to steel his body. However,
Greek because Trojans never paid him for Poseidon refuses it, along with Hera and
helping them to build their city. However, Athena. Poseidon supports Trojans. He helped
he once saves the Trojan hero, Aeneas so Trojan to build great walls.
that he will not be killed by Achilles against
destiny.
Hephaestus Greek Hephaestus of Hephaestus is the God of fire. He is also the When Achilles is playing the last round of two
the strong husband of Aphrodite and son of Zeus. He on one, Athena calls Hephaestus to help her.
arms urges Hera not to provoke Zeus’ anger. He Hephaistos's solution is to set fire to all the
 makes marvelous armor for Achilles at corpses on the field. Hephaestus supports
Thetis’ request. He also uses his fire to help Greek.
rescue Achilles in his battle with the river.
Achilles Greek Swift-footed He is the son of Peleus and the Goddess of After killing Hector, Achilles gives Hector’s
Achilles the Sea, Thetis. He is also the main corpse back to his father, Priam, and held a
character of the Iliad. He is the most funeral for Hector. Achilles has changed from
powerful warrior in Greek. He is very the beginning of the poem. When his best
headstrong and when he realized that his friend, Patroclus died, Achilles undergoes a
honor was being slighted, he was indignant. change. He puts his immature attitude aside
Achilles was angry at Agamemnon because and going back to the battlefield. Start to being
he captured his prize, the maiden Briseis. He more mature.
goes to find his mother, Aphrodite, to beg
Zeus to let Trojan win in this battle, and
then Agamemnon will know who the
greatest warrior of the Greeks is, and how
much he needs Achilles.
Artemis Trojan Artemis the Artemis is the Goddess of the hunt. She is At the end, Artemis calls Apollo a coward. But
shooter of also the daughter of Zeus. Agamemnon then Hera cusses her out and boxes her ears,
arrows sacrifice his daughter to appease her anger making her drop her bow and arrows. 
on the Greeks’ expedition to Troy. Hera
When Artemis arrives back on Mount
defeated her in the battle of the Gods.
Olympus, she complains to Zeus about what
happened. She supports Trojans.
Hermes Greek Hermes the Hermes is the messenger of the Gods. He is At the end, Zeus sends Hermes down to fulfill
guide, slayer also the son of Zeus and Maia. He guides Priam’s prayer. He leads Priam in his attempt
of Argos souls to the underworld, and he is sent to to reclaim the body of his fallen son, Hector.
guide Priam on his risky trip to the tent of Even though Hermes helped Priam, he actually
Achilles for the ransom of the body of his supports Greek.
son, Hector.
Agamemnon Greek Wide-ruling Agamemnon is the king of Mycenae and the At the end, Agamemnon gets the prize from
lord leader of the Achaean army. He is also the Achilles and in turns, he gives his prize to
Agamemnon brother of Menelaus and a main character. Talthybios the herald.
He is very prideful and selfish. However, he
is the greatest king in Greeks. He leads the
Achaeans strongly, but also sometimes
selfish. His act of capture Briseis from
Achilles results Achilles’ withdraws from
the war.
Patroclus Greek Great-heart Patroclus is the beloved companion of Patroclus was killed by the Hector. While
 Patroclus Achilles. He grew up with Achilles and Patroclus was hit with the spear of Euphorbos,
accompanied him to Troy. He enters the Hector killed him by stabbing him in the
battle in Achilles' stead, and he dies at the stomach with a spear.
hands of Hector, triggering Achilles' return
to battle. After his ghost visited Achilles,
Achilles held a grand funeral for him.
Odysseus Greek Much- Odysseus is the smartest commanders in Odysseus is wresting with Ajax at the end and
enduring Achaean. He is also one of the Achaeans’ they shared the prize.
Odysseus two best public speakers along with Nestor.
He rallies the troops, forms part of the
embassy to Achilles, and urges Achilles to
aside his grief.
Diomedes Greek Great Diomedes is the youngest commander of At the end, Diomedes and Ajax are having a
spearman Achaean. During the war, he was actually duel with spears. Diomedes gets the first prize
Diomedes withdrawing from combat, but Athena from Achilles.
comes down to inspire and courage him.
Therefore, he wounded Goddess Aphrodite
and God Ares. He also accompanies
Odysseus on a bloody spy mission to the
Trojan camp.
Great Ajax Greek Swift Ajax The Great Ajax was the commander of The great ajax is having a duel with Diomedes
Achaean and the second most powerful at the end. However, he does not get the prize.
warrior after Achilles. His extraordinary
size and strength helped him hit Hector
twice with shoulders. He often fights
alongside Little Ajax.
Little Ajax Greek Gigantic Ajax Little Ajax was also the commander of Idomeneus and little Ajax get in an argument
Achaean. He often fights alongside Great over who is in the lead. Idomeneus says it isn't
Ajax; whose statue and strength Eumelos anymore, but he can't tell who it is.
complement Little Ajax’s small size and Little Ajax firmly maintains that it is still
swift speed. Eumelos.

Nestor Greek Sweet spoken Nestor was one of the greatest public At the end, Nestor gets the jar from Achilles.
Nestor speakers of Achaeans along with Odysseus. He is very happy and tells everybody a story
He is also a wise counselor, often using about how awesome he used to be back in the
stories from the past to advise and guide the day.
Greek warriors. He tries to persuade
Agamemnon to make peace with Achilles,
 but he doesn’t succeed, then he persuades
Agamemnon to make amends to Achilles.
He urges Patroclus to ask Achilles to let him
lead his men into battle, a plan that leads to
Patroclus’s death.
Menelaus Greek War-like Menelaus is the King of Sparta and the At the end, Menelaus fights with Antilochus.
Menelaus brother of Agamemnon. His wife, Helen, However, Antilochus gets the prize. Menelaus
who is the most beautiful woman in the wants the prize too so he complains about it.
world, was captured by the Prince of Troy, Antilochus says he would gladly give his prize
Paris. He and Agamemnon want to get her to Menelaus and Menelaus is impressed about
back, so the Trojan war starts. Antilochus’ manner.
Idomeneus Greek Strong- Idomeneus is the king of Crete and a In the end, Idomeneus is arguing with little
greaved commander. He led the attack on the Ajax about who is in the lead.
Idomeneus Trojans.

Calchas Greek Perfect Calchas is a seer or prophet of the Greeks. Beaten in trial of soothsaying, Calchas died of
prophet He determines that Agamemnon was the committed suicide.
Calchas cause of the plague sent by Apollo. He also
read the omens and predicted victory nine
years after the Greeks set out for Tory.
Phoenix Greek The old Phoenix is an old tutor of Achilles, also one Phoenix is the referee of the competition held
horseman of the members of Embassy of Achilles. He by Achilles at the end.
PhoenixF spoke as a proxy for Achilles’s father and
used the story of Meleager to try to persuade
him to return to the battlefield.
Hector Trojan Hector of the Hector is one of the princes of Troy. Also Hector was killed by Achilles at the end. He
glinting the brother of Paris and leading warrior of was speared by Achilles through the throat.
helmet the Trojans. He duels with Ajax and leads Hector does not change much from the
the Trojan onslaught against the Greek beginning. He keeps his heroic qualities all the
ships. With Apollo’s help, he kills way from the beginning.
Patroclus. He is slain by Achilles outside the
walls of Troy before his parents’ eyes, and
his body is brutally abused by Achilles.
Priam Trojan Priam of the Priam is the old king of Troy, who was At the end, Priam is holding the funeral of
strong ash married to Hecuba. He had fifty sons Hector. He orders the wood to be brought to
spear including Paris and Hector. He redeemed the city to be used as Hector's funeral pyre and
the body of his son Hector from Achilles. announces the truce he had reached with
 Achilles. Priam really love his son throughout
the entire poem.
Hecuba Trojan Queen of Troy Hecuba is the queen of Troy. She is also the In the end, Hecuba is lamenting in the funeral
Hecuba wife of Priam and mother of Hector and of Hector. Her sadness is mingled with relief
Paris. She leads the Trojan women in prayer that Hector’s body is back and at least
to Athena, and later she pleads with her son, preserved.
Hector, not to stand up to Achilles.
Paris Trojan Magnificent Paris is one of the sons of Priam. He Paris tries to take responsibility for his actions,
Paris decided who will get the golden apple or challenging Menelaus to a duel of the end of
which of the three Goddesses, Hera, Athena, the war or return of Helen. He is unable to
and Aphrodite will be the most beautiful. follow through, however, and survives only
Every Goddess tried to bribe him, and he because he is rescued by Aphrodite. Paris used
accepted Aphrodite’s proposal of marriage to be a person who don’t care about the country
of Helen, the most beautiful woman in the and just want to make himself happy like
world. He challenges Menelaus but is woman, but now, he changed. He starts to take
rescued from a fuel by Aphrodite. the responsibility for his actions.
Helen Trojan Long-dressed Helen is the most beautiful woman in the Helen is lamenting in Hector’s funeral at the
Helen world. He is the daughter of Zeus. She is the end. She thanks Hector for always being kind
wife of Menelaus who eloped with Paris and to her and for always warding off the cruel
caused the Trojan war. She reflects on her words of others.
actions and concludes her mourning for
Hector.
Aeneas Trojan Great-hearted Aeneas is the son of Aphrodite and is a Aeneas challenged Achilles. Achilles wins the
Aeneas warrior of Troy. He played a prominent part battle and is about to kill Aeneas. Then
in defending his city against the Greeks Poseidon comes down and take Aeneas far
during the Trojan War, being second only to away from the battle so that he can survive.
Hector in ability.
Andromache Trojan White-armed Andromache is the wife of Hector. She At the end, Andromache is lamenting in
Andromache describes how her father and brother were Hector’s funeral. She says that Hector left her
killed by Achilles in a raid and tries to and the son, and she predicts that her or the son
persuade Hector to be more cautions. will become the slave of Achaeans or will he
hurl to his death. In the beginning of the poem,
Andromache seems really love her husband,
but now it looks like she is blame him.
Polydamas Trojan Troy Polydamas is a Trojan commander. He Polydamas advises the Trojans to retire from
commander sometimes serves as foil to Hector, the cattlefield after the death of Patroclus.
Polydamas testifying to his coolness and caution as he However, Hector overrules Polydamas.
charged forward. Polydamas gave Troy
 advice, but Hector seldom took action.
Glaucus Trojan Trojan allies Glaucus is an ally of the Trojans. He After Sarpedon is wounded, Glaucus prays to
Glaucus exchanged armor with the Greek warrior Apollo, asking him to help him to rescue the
Diomedes after they discovered that they body of his dying friend.
were bound together by the friendship of
their guests. Glaucus’ ancestors were guests
of Diomedes’.
Antenor Trojan Advisor of Antenor is the advisor of king Priam. He At the end of the war, Antenor defects and
Troy Antenor advises that Paris should give Helen back to helps the Greeks by opening the gates of the
Menelaus in order to end the war. However, city, which betrayed Troy.
Paris refused.

Thersites Greek Thersites of Thersites is a solider of Achaean. He is the Thersites says something bad about
the endless only character in Iliad who was described as Agamemnon and says he wants to return home,
speech ugly. He attacked Agamemnon’s words then Odysseus punctuates his attack by
about Achilles, then Odysseus defeats him. slapping Thersites on the back with a scepter,
raising a welt and causing tears to flow.
Afterwards, Thersites ends all talk of returning
home.