# Aigisthos — Agamemnon character guide

> Aigisthos in Agamemnon by Aeschylus.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Leader, Leader Aigisthos

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

Clytemnestra's lover and co-conspirator, waiting in the shadows of the palace for the king's return with old grievances of his own.

## Who they are

Aigisthos belongs to the house of Atreus by blood and to its long ledger of wrongs, a man whose claim on Argos runs through a history of feuds older than the Trojan War. He works through Clytemnestra rather than openly, a partner in her designs whose motives braid personal vengeance with political ambition. He matters because he turns the queen's private hatred into a dynastic plot, and his presence in the wings makes every celebration of Agamemnon's return feel provisional.

## Relationships

### [Cassandra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/cassandra)

_rivalry_

Aigisthos views Cassandra as a captive and threat to his rule, while she prophesies his doom.

### [Clytemnestra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/clytemnestra)

_romantic_

Lovers and co-conspirators in the murder of Agamemnon, bound by shared vengeance and adultery.

### [Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/agamemnon)

_rivalry_

Aigisthos is Agamemnon's cousin and mortal enemy, who seduces Clytemnestra and murders Agamemnon.

## In the story

### [Family Trees](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/chapters/family-trees)

Listed as a chief character in the family tree.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/chapters/endnotes)

Mentioned in the context of the Watchman's Homeric origin and the rejoicing over his death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/aigisthos
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters