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The Iliad · Character

Calchas

Greek prophet who interprets omens for the army.

minor

Also known as seer Calchas

First appearance: the iliad

Calchas shows up with force in Book I: The Contention of Achilles and Agamemnon. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Seer who reveals that Apollo's wrath is due to Agamemnon's treatment of Chryses.
In the storyBook I: The Contention of Achilles and AgamemnonOpen this moment free

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In Book I: The Contention of Achilles and Agamemnon: Seer who reveals that Apollo's wrath is due to Agamemnon's treatment of…

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See Calchas in the iliad

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Calchas sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

AJAjaxACAchillesAGAgamemnonIDIdomeneusPOPoseidonCACalchas

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Supporting Mortals and Divine Agents
  • Major Greek and Trojan Figures
  • Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • 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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In the story

Calchas appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Calchas unlock in the free preview.

See Calchas in the iliad
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