# Odysseus — The Iliad character guide

> Odysseus in The Iliad by Homer.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ulysses, wise Ulysses, Renowned Ulysses, divine Ulysses

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

## Snapshot

The Greek king of Ithaca, valued less for his spear than for the cool head that keeps the alliance from collapsing.

## Who they are

Odysseus is the counselor other kings listen to when tempers flare, the man who can talk an army down or shame it back into line. He endures Agamemnon's blunders and Achilles' rages with the patience of someone who has already calculated the cost. His cunning and restraint make him indispensable to the Greek war effort long before he becomes the hero of his own voyage home.

## Relationships

### [Diomedes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/diomedes)

_friendship_

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

### [Diomedes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/diomedes)

_friendship_

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

### [Diomedes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/diomedes)

_friendship_

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

## 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)

Restores order, punishes Thersites, and delivers a rousing speech to the troops.

### [Book III: Single Combat of Menelaus and Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-iii-single-combat-of-menelaus-and-paris)

Assists Hector in measuring the combat space and helps with the lot-drawing ceremony.

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

Leads the embassy to Achilles, eloquently presenting Agamemnon's gifts and pleas for reconciliation.

### [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)

Ulysses is chosen by Diomed for his wisdom and courage; he prays to Athena and leads the mission, capturing and interrogating Dolon.

### [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)

Rallies Diomed and the Greeks after Agamemnon's wounding, fights alongside Diomed, and slays Molion, Hippodamus, and Hypirochus.

### [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)

Firmly opposes Agamemnon's plan to withdraw, arguing it would doom the Greeks.

### [Book XIX: The Reconciliation of Achilles and Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xix-the-reconciliation-of-achilles-and-agamemnon)

Advises delaying battle for a feast and oversees the transfer of gifts and the oath.

## Links

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