# Diomedes — The Iliad character guide

> Diomedes in The Iliad by Homer.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Tydides, brave Tydides, valiant Diomed, Diomed

**First appearance:** 0001-the-iliad

## Snapshot

A young Greek champion whose spear fells Trojans by the dozen and whose daring even draws the blood of gods.

## Who they are

Diomedes fights with a ferocity that makes seasoned kings take notice, cutting down named warriors in the surge while others merely hold ground. He rescues the stranded Nestor, trades chariots mid-battle, and shows a ruthlessness that contrasts with Menelaus's soft-heartedness. His rise in the early fighting gives the Greek cause its sharpest edge before Achilles returns.

## Relationships

### [Odysseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/odysseus)

_friendship_

Diomedes and Odysseus are comrades who undertake dangerous missions together, such as the night raid.

### [Hector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hector)

_rivalry_

Diomedes and Hector are enemy warriors who fight each other in the thick of battle.

### [Odysseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/odysseus)

_friendship_

Diomedes and Odysseus are comrades who undertake dangerous missions together, such as the night raid.

### [Odysseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/odysseus)

_friendship_

Diomedes and Odysseus are comrades who undertake dangerous missions together, such as the night raid.

### [Hector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hector)

_rivalry_

Diomedes and Hector are enemy warriors who fight each other in the thick of battle.

## In the story

### [Book II: The Trial of the Army, and Catalogue of the Forces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-ii-the-trial-of-the-army-and-catalogue-of-the-forces)

Present among the elder princes at the sacrifice.

### [Book V: The Exploits of Diomed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-v-the-exploits-of-diomed)

The central hero of the book, empowered by Athena to fight with divine strength and courage, wounds Aeneas and Aphrodite.

### [Book VI: Interviews Between Glaucus and Diomed, and Hector and Andromache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-vi-interviews-between-glaucus-and-diomed-and-hector-and-andromache)

Diomed continues his rampage, slaying Axylus and others; he then encounters Glaucus and, after learning their familial bond, exchanges armor with him.

### [Book VIII: The Second Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-viii-the-second-battle)

Fights bravely, kills Agelaus, and struggles with the decision to face Hector, restrained by Zeus's thunder.

### [Book IX: The Embassy to Achilles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-ix-the-embassy-to-achilles)

Boldly opposes Agamemnon's plan to retreat, insisting the Greeks will fight on until Troy falls.

### [Book X: The Night-Adventure of Diomed and Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-x-the-night-adventure-of-diomed-and-ulysses)

Diomed volunteers for the night mission, chooses Ulysses as his companion, and prays to Athena for aid before setting out.

### [Book XI: The Third Battle, and Exploits of Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xi-the-third-battle-and-exploits-of-agamemnon)

Fights valiantly alongside Ulysses, wounds Hector (though the spear is turned by Apollo's gift), slays Thymbraeus and others, but is wounded in the foot by Paris.

### [Book XIV: The Fraud Practised on Jupiter by Juno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xiv-the-fraud-practised-on-jupiter-by-juno)

Advises the wounded kings to join the battle and encourage the army, despite their injuries.

### [Book XXIII: The Funeral of Patroclus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xxiii-the-funeral-of-patroclus)

Encourages Euryalus in the boxing match and competes in the chariot race.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/diomedes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters