Editing Iliad (section)

== Dramatis Personae ==

=== Achaeans ===
'''<u>Achilles</u>''' is the central character of the Iliad. Before the events of the epic, Achilles had been the most formidable warrior on the Greek side, earning a reputation for his martial prowess; he is said to have killed many Trojans and their allies, including the <u>Amazon</u> queen, '''Penthesilea''', and the <u>Ethiopian</u> king, '''Memnon'''. He led the Greeks in the successful siege at Thebe, and capture of 12 cities in the <u>Troad</u> (the region around Troy), as well as 11 cities in similar campaigns across the <u>Aegean Sea</u>. He was old enough to be a seasoned soldier, fighting since the beginning of the war, but still young enough to be considered in the prime of his life (likely mid-to-late 20s), and was the son of '''Peleus''', king of the '''Myrmidons''' in '''Phthia''' (in <u>Thessaly</u>), and the sea-nymph '''Thetis''', who tried, and failed, to make him immortal.

'''<u>Agamemnon</u>''' was the commander-in-chief of the combined '''Achaean''' forces; he spent years orchestrating the Greek siege of Troy, leading to the battles and managing the complex dynamics of the Greek coalition. He takes a more leading role in the events of the war than his brother Menelaus, though ostensibly the war is between Sparta (Menelaus' kingdom) and Troy; and it is Menelaus' wife who was abducted. Agamemnon is the 'king of kings,' the leader of an entire Achaean coalition against Troy and has a duty to perform. The Greek expedition to Troy was a coalition of many city-states, each with its own leader; they were bound by oaths to assist; Agamemnon, as the most powerful king and the brother of Menelaus, was the natural choice for the role of commander-in-chief.

'''<u>Odysseus</u>''', king of '''Ithaca''', was known for his cunning and eloquence; he was instrumental in many key strategies, including the idea of the <u>Trojan Horse</u> (which is not described in the Iliad but is part of the larger Trojan War saga). He also undertook diplomatic missions and participated actively in skirmishes and battles.

'''<u>Menelaus</u>''' was Helen's husband and had personal stakes in the conflict, king of Sparta and brother to Agamemnon. 

'''<u>Patroclus</u>''' was Achilles' closest comrade; he played a background role for much of the war, until Achilles' withdrawal from battle when he became more prominent, eventually donning Achilles' armor and leading the Myrmidons in an attempt to lift the siege on the Greek ships, a decision that would lead to his death at the hands of '''Hector'''.

'''<u>Diomedes</u>''' is the king of '''Argos''', the son of '''Tydeus''', a hero of the previous generation who participated in the legendary expedition of the '''[[Seven Against Thebes]]'''. Known for his bravery, martial prowess, and strategic acumen, he distinguishes himself as one of the most formidable warriors on the Achaean side. His character embodies the ancient Greek ideals of heroism, valor, and honor, making him a central figure in the epic narrative. 

'''<u>Phoenix</u>''' is an older warrior and a former member of the royal household in Phthia, where Achilles grew up. He had a key role in raising and educating Achilles on behalf of king Peleus. Phoenix's teachings included not just the arts of war but also the values and responsibilities of being a noble and a leader.

=== Trojans ===
'''<u>Hector</u>''' is the eldest son of '''Priam''' and the crown prince of Troy, renowned as the greatest of the Trojan warriors. He is married to '''Andromache''', with whom he has a son, '''Astyanax'''. Hector embodies the ideals of Trojan heroism, valor, and duty to one's family and city. His death at the hands of Achilles marks the beginning of Troy's downfall; unlike Achilles, who struggles with his destiny and the consequences of his rage, Hector is portrayed as a more relatable character, torn between his duty to Troy and his love for his family.

'''<u>Paris</u>''', another son of Priam and brother to Hector, is the cause of the <u>Trojan War</u> through his abduction of '''Helen''', wife of Menelaus of Sparta. Paris is portrayed as less admirable than Hector, often criticized for his preference for love and beauty over martial valor; his judgment in favor of '''Aphrodite''' in the divine contest that led to the war reflects his character's focus on desire and personal satisfaction over duty and honor.

'''<u>Priam</u>''' is the aged king of Troy, father to fifty sons and several daughters, with his many children being the result of his marriage to '''Hecuba''' (as well as several other women).  As the patriarch of Troy, Priam is a figure of sympathy and dignity, deeply respected by Greek audiences; his most poignant scene in the Iliad involves him begging Achilles for the body of his son Hector, demonstrating his deep humanity and the personal costs of the war.

'''<u>Hecuba</u>''' is the queen of Troy, wife of Priam, and mother to Hector and Paris, among others. She is a figure of maternal sorrow and suffering, embodying the tragedy of the war's impact on the Trojan people.

Although not one of Priam's children, '''<u>Aeneas</u>''', a cousin to Hector and Paris, is a significant Trojan noble. The son of '''Anchises''' and the goddess '''Aphrodite''', he is portrayed as a formidable warrior and a leader. According to later Roman mythology, particularly '''Virgil's''' ''Aeneid'', Aeneas survives Troy's fall and goes on to found the kingdom of Rome, making him a pivotal figure in the mythological heritage of the subsequent empire.

'''<u>Andromache</u>''' is Hector's wife, and her scenes with Hector and their son Astyanax are among the most moving in the Iliad. She represents the human cost of the war, especially in her lamentations over Hector's body and her fears for the future of their son.

'''<u>Cassandra</u>''', one of Priam and Hecuba's daughters, is cursed by '''Apollo''' to utter true prophecies that no one will believe; her tragic foresight into Troy's fall and her own fate adds a layer of doom to the narrative.

'''<u>Antenor</u>''' is a Trojan noble known for his wisdom and pragmatism, often advocating for peace (and the return of Helen to her husband in Sparta). He has ties of hospitality with the Achaeans, through Odysseus and Menelaus who visited Troy before the war began.