Important Characters in The Odyssey

Helios

the sun god, who raises his cattle on the island of Thrinacia

Zeus

the ruler of the Greek gods and goddesses; father of Athena and Apollo

Telemachus

Odysseus' son

Penelope

Odysseus' wife

Hermes

the god of invention, commerce, and cunning; messenger of the gods

Calypso

a sea goddess who lives on the island of Ogygia

Laertes

Odysseus' father

Alcinous

the king of the Phaeascians

Circe

a goddess and enchantress who lives on the island of Aeaea

Cicones

allies of the Trojans, who live at Ismarus

Lotus Eaters

inhabitants of a land Odysseus visits

Cyclopes

a race of one-eyed giants; an individual member of the race is a ____________

Apollo

god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine

Poseidon

the god of the seas, earthquakes, and horses; father of the Cyclops who battles Odysseus

Aeolus

the guardian of the winds

Persephone

the wife of Hades, ruler of the underworld

Tiresias

a blind prophet whose spirit Odysseus visits in the underworld

Elphenor

one of Odysseus' crew, killed in an accident

Sirens

creatures, part woman and part bird, whose songs lure sailors to their death

Scylla

a six-headed sea monster who devours sailors

Athena

the goddess of war, wisdom, and cleverness; goddess of crafts

Argos

Odysseus' dog