# Pisthetaerus — The Birds character guide

> Pisthetaerus in The Birds by Aristophanes.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Pisthetaerus By Zeus, Pisthetaerus The cuckoo, Pisthetaerus The, blessed Pisthetaerus, Pisthetaerus Apollo the Deliverer, Pisthetaerus Birds

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

## Snapshot

A restless Athenian who talks a flock of birds into founding a city in the sky, then talks himself into its throne.

## Who they are

Pisthetaerus arrives in the wilderness with his friend Euelpides, fleeing Athens' lawsuits and debts in search of a softer place to live. Where Euelpides hesitates, Pisthetaerus improvises: he spots the air itself as an unclaimed empire and pitches the birds on a scheme to tax the gods' sacrificial smoke. His gift is audacity dressed as common sense, and his flaw is that he never stops at one conquest. He drives the play's central joke—that a smooth-talking man can out-create the gods—and by the middle of the story he has turned a comic errand into a siege of heaven.

## Relationships

### [Heracles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/heracles)

_rivalry_

Heracles is initially a threatening envoy of Zeus but is easily manipulated by Pisthetaerus into betraying his own cause.

### [Prometheus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/prometheus)

_friendship_

Prometheus secretly aids Pisthetaerus, sharing insider knowledge about the gods' weaknesses, acting as a covert ally.

### [Cinesias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/cinesias)

_professional_

Cinesias, a dithyrambic poet, comes to Pisthetaerus seeking wings to fly and gather poetic inspiration, but is ridiculed and dismissed.

### [Prophet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/prophet)

_professional_

Pisthetaerus hires a prophet to interpret oracles, but quickly dismisses him when the prophecy doesn't suit his plans.

### [Posidon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/posidon)

_rivalry_

Pisthetaerus outmaneuvers Posidon in the divine negotiation, using trickery to secure sovereignty over the gods.

### [Trochilus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/trochilus)

_professional_

Trochilus serves as a herald or messenger for Pisthetaerus, carrying his commands and announcements.

### [Epops](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/epops)

_friendship_

Epops, the hoopoe, is an early ally who helps Pisthetaerus and his companion establish their bird city, acting as a guide and supporter.

### [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/zeus)

_rivalry_

Pisthetaerus challenges Zeus's authority and ultimately usurps his power, becoming the new ruler of the cosmos.

### [Iris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/iris)

_rivalry_

Iris, as Zeus's messenger, is intercepted and threatened by Pisthetaerus, who forbids her passage through his new kingdom.

### [Hymen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/hymen)

_professional_

Hymen, the god of marriage, is summoned by Pisthetaerus to officiate his wedding to Basileia, serving a ceremonial role.

### [Muse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/muse)

_professional_

The Muse is invoked by Pisthetaerus to provide artistic inspiration for his bird city's chorus and celebrations.

### [Basileia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_birds_se/characters/basileia)

_romantic_

Basileia, the personification of sovereignty, is given to Pisthetaerus as his bride, symbolizing his ultimate power and rule.

## In the story

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

Mentioned in endnotes regarding his actions and the founding of Cloud Cuckoo Town.

## Links

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