The Trojan Women Characters

The Greek god of the ocean, earthquakes, and horses. Poseidon built the city of Troy together with the god Apollo, and therefore remained on the Trojans’ side in their fight against the Greeks. He is the brother of Zeus, and the uncle of Athena.

The Greek god of sky and thunder, and the ruler of the Greek pantheon. His siblings include Hera (who is also his wife) and Poseidon. He has many children, some gods, some demigods, including Apollo, Athena, and Heracles.

The chorus is a group of unnamed Trojan women. Now enslaved by the Greeks, they were likely formerly Hecuba’s handmaidens.

The King of Troy, husband to Hecuba, and father to Cassandra, Paris, Hector, and many others. Although he has died before the play begins, his memory lives on in Hecuba’s lamentations. He remains greatly respected by his living family.

A Greek soldier, also known as Ajax the Lesser, to distinguish him from the other Greek warrior, Ajax the Great. He does not appear onstage, but is said to have raped Cassandra before the play begins.

A Greek engineer who created the Trojan horse, an enormous hollow statue used to smuggle Greek soldiers into the city of Troy.

The mythical founder of Athens. A semi-historical figure respected by both Greeks and Trojans alike.

A famously cunning Greek warrior, the protagonist of the Odyssey, and the mastermind behind the Trojan horse (and thus the Greek victory over Troy). He claims Hecuba to be his slave. Although Odysseus never appears onstage, Hecuba describes him as “slippery” and a “murderous beast.”

A Greek warrior and demigod, who killed Hector but was later killed by Paris.

The Greek god of marriage.

A Greek warrior, and the son of the warrior Achilles. He claims Andromache as his slave.

The king of Argos and leader of the Greek army, and the brother of Menelaus. He claims Cassandra as his slave.

The Greek god of the sun, music, poetry, and prophecy. He fought on the side of the Trojans during the war. He also cursed the mortal Cassandra, giving her the ability to see the future.

A Trojan prince, the son of Hecuba and Priam, and the husband of Helen. Although he is dead before the events of the play begin, he is described as exceptionally handsome. His elopement with Helen is (according to Greek tradition) the direct cause of the Trojan War.

A famous Trojan warrior, the son of Priam and Hecuba, husband to Andromache, and father to Astyanax. He is killed in battle by Achilles before the play’s action begins.

A Trojan, one of Hecuba and Priam’s sons. He married Helen after his brother Paris died.

A legendary Greek warrior and demigod, the son of Zeus and a mortal woman. At one point he saved Troy from a sea monster, but when he was not properly paid for his troubles he raided the city.