The Iliad: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in The Iliad, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- AchillesAchilles is an Achaean warrior who refuses to fight after Agamemnon takes Briseis.First seen in book 1
- AgamemnonAgamemnon commands heralds to take Briseis from Achilles after returning Chryseis to stop a plague.First seen in book 1
- JoveJove grants Thetis's request for divine support for the Trojans despite conflict with Juno.First seen in book 1
- UlyssesUlysses accompanies Chryseis home when Agamemnon returns her to stop Apollo's plague.First seen in book 1
- MinervaMinerva intervenes in the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon to prevent a killing.First seen in book 1
- ApolloApollo sends a plague after Agamemnon rejects Chryses and must be appeased through return and sacrifice.First seen in book 1
- ThetisThetis asks Jove to support the Trojans at Achilles' request.First seen in book 1
- HectorHector gathers the Trojans and their allies for battle against the Achaeans.First seen in book 2
- PriamPriam hears Helen identify Achaean leaders and joins the armies to swear binding oaths.First seen in book 3
- HelenHelen identifies Achaean leaders for Priam and mourns her separation from home.First seen in book 3
- MenelausMenelaus fights Alexandrus in a duel intended to settle the conflict over Helen and her wealth.First seen in book 3
- DiomedDiomed is an Achaean fighter whom Minerva strengthens and permits to attack Venus.First seen in book 5
- AjaxAjax is the Achaean champion chosen by lot to meet Hector's challenge.First seen in book 7
- PatroclusPatroclus is sent by Achilles to identify a wounded man and hears Nestor's proposal.First seen in book 11
- Book 1
Agamemnon takes Briseis from Achilles, who refuses to fight and asks Thetis to secure support for the Trojans.
- Book 2
Jove deceives Agamemnon with a false dream, and Ulysses stops the army from leaving after Agamemnon proposes retreat.
- Book 3
Menelaus gains the upper hand in their duel, but Venus removes Alexandrus from danger.
- Book 4
Minerva persuades Pandarus to shoot Menelaus, breaking the truce and renewing battle.
- Book 5
With Minerva's help, Diomed wounds Venus and Mars, forcing both gods from the fighting.
- Book 6
Hector visits his family in Troy but rejects Andromache's plea to remain on the wall.
- Book 7
Ajax and Hector fight until nightfall, then exchange gifts as their duel ends without a death.
- Book 8
Jove gives the Trojans the advantage, and they camp on the plain after driving the Achaeans toward their ships.
- Book 9
Agamemnon offers gifts to repair the quarrel, but Achilles refuses the envoys' appeal for immediate help.
- Book 10
Diomed and Ulysses capture and kill Dolon, then raid the sleeping Thracians and take Rhesus' horses.
- Book 11
Several Achaean leaders are wounded, and Nestor urges Patroclus to seek permission to fight in Achilles' armor.
- Book 12
Hector rejects Polydamas's warning, smashes the Achaean gates with a stone, and drives the defenders toward their ships.
- Book 13
Neptune secretly strengthens the Achaeans, helping them resist Hector at the ships.
- Book 14
Juno tricks Zeus into sleeping, while Neptune strengthens the Achaeans and Ajax wounds Hector.
- Book 15
Jove orders Neptune to withdraw and sends Apollo to strengthen Hector, whose attack reaches the Achaean ships.
- Book 16
Patroclus saves the ships in Achilles' armor but pursues the Trojans until Apollo, Euphorbus, and Hector bring him down.
- Book 17
Hector takes Achilles' armor, while Achaean fighters defend Patroclus's body and carry it away.
- Book 18
Achilles learns of Patroclus's death, resolves to kill Hector, and receives help as Vulcan makes new armor.
- Book 19
Achilles ends his quarrel with Agamemnon and prepares to fight in the armor brought by Thetis.
- Book 20
Achilles attacks the Trojans, but Neptune saves Aeneas and Apollo helps Hector escape.
- Book 21
Scamander attacks Achilles for filling the river with bodies, and divine help saves him.
- Book 22
Minerva deceives Hector into facing Achilles, who kills him and drags away his body.
- Book 23
Achilles performs Patroclus's funeral rites and holds athletic contests in his honor.
- Book 24
Priam ransoms Hector's body from Achilles, who grants time for mourning, and the Trojans hold Hector's funeral.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- TroyTroy is the target of the attack urged by Jove's false dream.First seen in book 2
- Achaean shipsThe Achaean ships are the fleet the soldiers rush to launch when Agamemnon proposes retreat.First seen in book 2
- OlympusOlympus is where Dione heals Venus after Diomed wounds her.First seen in book 5
- ScamanderScamander is the river that attacks Achilles when he fills it with bodies.First seen in book 21
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