# Discourses — Character guide

> Key figures in Discourses by Epictetus.

- [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/socrates.md): Socrates stands in Epictetus's lectures as the gold standard of a man whose words were backed by practice, someone who addressed tyrants and dicasts and even spoke in his prison cell without losing his nerve. He is not a
- [Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/diogenes.md): Diogenes appears alongside Socrates as one of Epictetus's two great examples of men whose confidence came from practice, not theory. He talked to Alexander, to pirates, and to the person who purchased him as a slave, and
- [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/zeus.md): Zeus in the Discourses is not a myth to be admired from a distance but a father whose care for human beings is supposed to reshape how a person grieves, fears, and desires. Epictetus argues that if Zeus truly governs the
- [Epictetus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/epictetus.md): Epictetus is the teacher at the center of these discourses, a man who compares philosophy to carpentry and navigation: no one becomes a pilot by wishing, and no one becomes good by wanting to be. He insists that the work
- [Caesar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/caesar.md): Caesar enters the Discourses less as a historical individual than as the ultimate test of whether political proximity can produce happiness. Epictetus imagines Caesar's friend directly and asks him when he slept better, 
- [Hercules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/hercules.md): Mythological hero, exemplar of endurance and divine mission.
- [Epicurus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/epicurus.md): Founder of Epicurean philosophy, often criticized by Epictetus.
- [Gaius Musonius Rufus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/gaius_musonius_rufus.md): Musonius Rufus appears in the Discourses as Epictetus's teacher and as a man whose own life illustrates the difficulty of what he taught. Epictetus recalls a conversation in which Rufus swore he would seek only quiet aft
- [Chrysippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/chrysippus.md): Stoic philosopher, known for his logical works and influence on Stoicism.
- [Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/agamemnon.md): King of Mycenae, used as an example of leadership and fate in Homeric tales.
- [Euphrates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/euphrates.md): Stoic philosopher and contemporary of Epictetus, praised for his wisdom.
- [Agrippinus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/agrippinus.md): Stoic philosopher known for his calmness under political persecution.
- [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/nero.md): Roman emperor, exemplar of tyranny and moral corruption.
- [Achilles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/achilles.md): Greek hero of the Trojan War, used to discuss honor and rage.
- [Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/ulysses.md): Cunning Greek hero, exemplar of endurance and resourcefulness.
- [Priscus Helvidius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/priscus_helvidius.md): Roman senator and Stoic, known for his defiance of emperors.
- [Epaphroditus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/epaphroditus.md): Nero's secretary and former master of Epictetus, mentioned in passing.
- [Antigonus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/antigonus.md): Macedonian king, used as an example of power and philosophy.
- [Alexander the Great](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/alexander_the_great.md): Macedonian conqueror, exemplar of ambition and worldly power.
- [Vespasian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/vespasian.md): Roman emperor, mentioned in context of political examples.
- [Medea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/medea.md): Tragic figure from Greek myth, used to discuss passion and reason.
- [Zeno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/zeno.md): Founder of Stoicism, cited as a philosophical authority.
- [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/apollo.md): God of prophecy and healing, invoked in discussions of divination.
- [Providence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/providence.md): In Epictetus's cosmos, Providence is the reasoning principle that steers the universe, and Zeus speaks within the Discourses as its voice, explaining why bodies, property, and weather were never placed in human hands. Th
- [Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/plato.md): Philosopher and student of Socrates, frequently referenced.
- [Dion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/dion.md): Syracusan politician and student of Plato, used as a historical example.
- [Hector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/hector.md): Trojan prince, exemplar of duty and family in Homeric epics.
- [Admetus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/admetus.md): King of Pherae, known for his hospitality and story with Alcestis.
- [Eurystheus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/eurystheus.md): King who imposed the Twelve Labors on Hercules.
- [Thersites](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/thersites.md): Ugly Greek soldier in the Iliad, used as an example of foolishness.
- [Thrasonides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/thrasonides.md): Character from Greek comedy, used to discuss boastfulness.
- [Patroclus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/patroclus.md): Achilles' companion, used to discuss friendship and loss.
- [Cleanthes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/cleanthes.md): Stoic philosopher, successor to Zeno, known for his hymn to Zeus.
- [Felicion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/felicion.md): A person mentioned as an example of good character.
- [Homer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/homer.md): Epic poet, frequently quoted as an authority on human nature.
- [Eteocles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/eteocles.md): Theban prince, used to discuss fraternal conflict and fate.
- [Archedemus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/archedemus.md): Stoic philosopher, cited for his logical works.
- [Florus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/florus.md): Roman historian, mentioned in passing.
- [Antisthenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/antisthenes.md): Cynic philosopher and student of Socrates.
- [Domitian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/domitian.md): Roman emperor, known for persecuting philosophers.
- [Demonax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/demonax.md): Cynic philosopher, known for his wit and wisdom.
- [Menelaus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/menelaus.md): Spartan king, used in Homeric examples of honor and war.
- [Antipater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/antipater.md): Stoic philosopher, cited for his ethical views.
- [Phidias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/phidias.md): Sculptor of Zeus at Olympia, used as an example of craftsmanship.
- [Hippocrates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/hippocrates.md): Physician, used as an example of expertise in medicine.
- [Laius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/laius.md): Theban king, father of Oedipus, used in tragic examples.
- [Hermes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/hermes.md): Messenger god, invoked in discussions of divine will.
- [Maximus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/maximus.md): Roman official or philosopher, mentioned in passing.
- [Geta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/geta.md): Roman emperor or official, mentioned briefly.
- [Aeolus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/aeolus.md): God of the winds, used in Homeric examples.
- [Anytus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/anytus.md): Accuser of Socrates, used as an example of injustice.
- [Melitus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/melitus.md): Accuser of Socrates, mentioned alongside Anytus.
- [Italicus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/italicus.md): Roman official or poet, mentioned in passing.
- [Ajax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/ajax.md): Greek hero, used to discuss madness and honor.
- [Helen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/helen.md): Wife of Menelaus, used in examples of beauty and conflict.
- [Orestes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/orestes.md): Son of Agamemnon, used in tragic examples of vengeance.
- [Lycurgus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/lycurgus.md): Spartan lawgiver, used as an example of legislation.
- [Polynices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/polynices.md): Theban prince, used in examples of fraternal strife.
- [Automedon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/automedon.md): Achilles' charioteer, used as an example of loyalty.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters