The Iliad · Character

Agamemnon

The Greek high king whose authority holds the coalition together and whose pride keeps threatening to tear it apart.

major

Also known as Atrides, Wide-ruling Agamemnon, King Agamemnon, noble Agamemnon

First appearance: The Iliad

As a major figure in The Iliad, Agamemnon is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Greek commander whose insult to Achilles and refusal to ransom Chryseis trigger the initial conflict and plague.

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Agamemnon commands the expedition against Troy, but his power rests on the consent of proud kings who resent taking orders. He insults the priest Chryses, provoking Apollo's plague, then seizes Achilles' prize to…

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Character Web

58 connections

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Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Major Greek and Trojan Figures
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Jupiter’s wrath, as he…

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Relationships

Achilles
rivalry · negative
Achilles and Agamemnon are bitter rivals over honor and Briseis, leading to Achilles'… How this plays out →
Achilles
rivalry · negative
Achilles and Agamemnon are bitter rivals over honor and Briseis, leading to Achilles'… How this plays out →
Achilles
rivalry · negative
Achilles and Agamemnon are bitter rivals over honor and Briseis, leading to Achilles'… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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In the story

Agamemnon appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Iliad
Greek commander whose insult to Achilles and refusal to ransom Chryseis trigger the initial conflict and plague.
Book I: The Contention of Achilles and Agamemnon
Insults Chryses, refuses to ransom Chryseis, quarrels with Achilles, and takes Briseis from him.
Book II: The Trial of the Army, and Catalogue of the Forces
Deceived by Zeus's dream, tests the army's resolve, and leads the sacrifice.
Book III: Single Combat of Menelaus and Paris
Commands the Greeks to hold their fire when Hector speaks, and orders a lamb for the sacrifice to seal the truce.
Book IV: The Breaking of the Truce, and the First Battle
Horrified by his brother's wound; delivers a speech foretelling Troy's destruction and rallies the Greek forces.
Book VII: The Combat of Hector and Ajax
Restrains Menelaus from fighting Hector, hosts a feast for Ajax, and accepts the truce for burying the dead.
Book VIII: The Second Battle
Rallies the Greek army after Hera moves him, climbing Ulysses' ship to exhort the troops.
Book IX: The Embassy to Achilles
Proposes retreat to the Greeks, weeping and lamenting his fate, but is rebuked by Diomed and Nestor.
Book X: The Night-Adventure of Diomed and Ulysses
Agamemnon is sleepless and deeply troubled by the Greek army's peril, consulting with Nestor and organizing a night mission.
Book XI: The Third Battle, and Exploits of Agamemnon
Leads the Greek assault, slays many Trojans including Bienor, Oileus, Isus, Antiphus, Pisander, and Hippolochus, but is eventually wounded and forced to withdraw.
Book XIV: The Fraud Practised on Jupiter by Juno
Proposes retreat by night, is rebuked by Ulysses, then joins the wounded kings to rally the troops.
Book XIX: The Reconciliation of Achilles and Agamemnon
Publicly reconciles with Achilles, offers gifts and swears an oath regarding Briseis.
Book XXIII: The Funeral of Patroclus
Offers Achilles a bath and later dismisses the troops at Achilles' request.

Chapter companion notes

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