Hephaestus: divine son of Zeus and Hera, god of the forge, divine artisan.

Hercules: mortal son of Zeus, made into a god after his death.

Hermes: divine son of Zeus and Hera, messenger god, often called "killer of Argus."

Hyperion: god of the sun (also called Helios)

Icarius: father of Penelope.

Ilion: another name for Troy.

Irus: a beggar at Odysseus’ palace.

Ithaca: island off the west coast of mainland Greece, kingdom ruled by Odysseus.

Lacedaemonia (or Lacedaemon): a region in the central Peloponnese surrounding Sparta. The names are often used interchangeably.

Laertes: son of Arcesius, father of Odysseus.

Laestrygonians: race of giants living in Telpylus.

Laodamas: son of Alcinous, a prince in Phaeacia.

Leiodes: son of Oenops, one of the Suitors, a soothsayer.

Leocritus: son of Euenor, one of the Suitors.

Megapenthes: bastard son of Menelaus.

Medon: a herald in Odysseus’ palace.

Melampus: a prophet from Pylos many years ago.

Melanthius: son of Dolius, a goatherd friendly to the Suitors.

Melantho: daughter of Dolius, a servant woman in Penelope’s household.

Menelaus: son of Atreus, brother of Agamemnon, husband of Helen, king of Sparta.

Mentor: son of Alcimus, steward of Odysseus’ place, an old companion of Odysseus.

Nausicaa: daughter of Arete, princess of the Phaeacians.

Neriton: a mountain visible in Ithaca.

Nestor: son of Neleus, king of Pylos, sometimes called the "Geranian horseman."

Noemon: son of Phronius, a friend of Telemachus in Ithaca.