The Iliad Characters Flashcards

Greek and Trojan Characters in The Iliad

• Achilles: Greatest Greek warrior, immortal; leader of the Myrmidons; son of Peleus and Thetis.
• Agamemnon: King of Mycenae and older brother of Menelaus; seized Achilles' war prize, Bryseis.
• Menelaus: King of Sparta, husband of Helen, whose abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War.
• Helen: Known as the world's most beautiful woman; married to Menelaus; taken by Paris.
• Paris: Trojan prince and son of Priam; awarded the golden apple by Aphrodite for choosing her.
• Hector: Prince of Troy and son of Priam; a leading warrior and brother to Paris; married to Andromache with a son named Astayanax.
• Nestor: King of Pylos; serves as a wise advisor to the Greeks throughout the conflict.
• Zeus: King of the gods, neutral in the Trojan War; oversees the events without taking sides.
• Aphrodite: Goddess of love and beauty; sided with the Trojans during the war.
• Athena: Goddess of wisdom and battle strategy; supported the Greeks and promised Paris battle skills for the golden apple.
• Hera: Queen of the gods and wife of Zeus; also supports the Greeks; represents family and marriage.
• Odysseus: King of Ithaca and cousin to Achilles; protagonist of the epic poem "The Odyssey."
• Diomedes: The youngest commander among the Achaeans; known for valor in battle.
• Ajax: Second mightiest warrior after Achilles; Achaean commander known for his strength.
• Patroclus: Achilles' closest friend; plays a vital role in the narrative.
• Thetis: Sea nymph and mother of Achilles; holds great influence over her son.

Trojan Allies and Gods

• Aeneas: Son of Aphrodite; notable Trojan warrior featured in the "Aeneid."
• Sarpedon: Son of Zeus; prominent Trojan warrior in the battle.
• Apollo: God of the sun and music; supports the Trojans; twin brother of Artemis.
• Artemis: Goddess of the hunt and the moon; avenges the death of her sacred animal by siding with the Trojans.
• Ares: God of war; allies with the Trojans and lover of Aphrodite.

Key Events and Symbols

• Chryses: A priest of Apollo; his daughter Chryseis was taken by Agamemnon, leading to a plague.
• Bryseis: Achilles’ war prize, taken by Agamemnon, causing a rift between them.
• Caduceus: The staff of Hermes; symbolizes communication and negotiation among the gods.
• Calchas: Soothsayer of Apollo; revealed the reason for the plague affecting the Greeks.
• The Myrmidons: Fierce warriors led by Achilles, noted for their loyalty and prowess in battle.

Messenger and Lesser Known Characters

• Iris: Goddess of the rainbow; serves as a messenger for Zeus and holds a neutral stance.
• Phoenix: Achilles' mentor who raised him; represents loyalty and wisdom.
• Hermes: Messenger of the gods; distinguished by carrying the Caduceus, known for his speed and communication skills.
• Astayanax: Son of Hector and Andromache; symbolizes the next generation of Troy amidst the conflict.

These characters and elements are central to the themes and events of "The Iliad," showcasing the intertwining fate of mortals and gods in the context of the Trojan War.

Test your knowledge of the main characters in Homer's 'The Iliad' with these flashcards. Learn about key figures such as Achilles, Priam, and Agamemnon, each crucial to the epic narrative. Perfect for students and literature enthusiasts alike!