# Euelpides — The Birds character guide

> Euelpides in The Birds by Aristophanes.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Euelpides By Heracles, Euelpides By Phoebus

**First appearance:** 0002-the-birds

## Snapshot

Pisthetaerus's jittery companion, forever losing his bird and his nerve while dreaming of a city free of lawsuits.

## Who they are

Euelpides leaves Athens beside his friend, carrying a crow for guidance and a long list of what he refuses to tolerate in a new home. He is the play's straight man and its worrywart: he drops his jay in fright, banters with the slave-bird Trochilus, and keeps asking whether any of this is wise. His longing for a quiet, comfortable town—no summons-servers, no morning writs—sets up the fantasy that Pisthetaerus will hijack. Without his hedging, the founding of Cloudcuckooland would have no friction and no foil.

## In the story

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

Referenced in endnotes for his role in the play and his interactions with the birds.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/euelpides
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters