Atreus
Agamemnon’s father, and the patriarch of the cursed “House of Atreus.” Atreus brought down the curse of the gods when he punished his brother (who had stolen Atreus’s wife and, briefly, his kingdom) by killing his brother’s children, cooking them, and feeding them to him.
Cilissa
The former nurse of Orestes, she grieves when she learns (incorrectly) of his death, her lamentations contrasting with Clytemnestra’s muted and possibly insincere response. She is an example within the play of true motherly devotion, in juxtaposition with the masculine, merciless Clytemnestra.
Pylades
Orestes’ traveling companion, Pylades is silent for much of the play. When he does speak, however, he urges Orestes to carry out his mission and kill Clytemnestra, despite the hero’s doubts.
Servant of Aegisthus
The servant exists solely to inform Clytemnestra of Aegisthus’ death at the hands of Orestes. He thus fulfills the classic Greek tragic messenger role, in which characters report violent actions to the audience, rather than the audience witnessing the violence onstage.
Bodyguards of Aegisthus
Attendants whose presence speaks to Aegisthus’ paranoid, violent nature.