The Main Mortal Characters
in the Iliad

Following is a summary description of the Iliad's principal mortal characters--as opposed to immortal gods and goddesses.

Achilles - preeminent Greek warrior

Agamemnon - Atreus' son; Greek high king; commander in chief

Menelaus - Agamemnon's brother; husband of Helen

Nestor - senior, wisest Greek

Ajax, son of Telamon - second only to Achilles

Diomedes - youngest Greek king; bold warrior; Tydeus' son

Odysseus - protagonist of Homer's second epic, the Odyssey

Patroclus - Achilles' closest friend

Hector - preeminent Trojan warrior

Paris - Hector's brother; abductor of Helen

Priam - king of Troy; father of Hector and Paris

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About the Iliad

Characters: Gods & Goddesses

Plot Summary

Themes

Trojan War

Who Authored Homer's Poems?