Agamemnon

Agamemnon, hailing from the ill-fated House of Atreus, serves as the King of Argos and the commander of the Greek forces in their campaign against Troy. When the Greek fleet was stalled at Aulis, the gods demanded the sacrifice of his daughter, Iphigenia, to ensure the fleet could set sail. This act incited the deep-seated wrath of his wife, Clytemnestra, who subsequently plotted his assassination. Upon his triumphant return to Argos after the fall of Troy, Agamemnon succumbed to pride by walking on opulent purple carpets at Clytemnestra's behest. Inside the palace, he met his demise in his bath at the hands of Clytemnestra and her paramour, Aegisthus.

Clytemnestra

Clytemnestra, the offspring of Leda, was married to Agamemnon, whom she eventually murdered due to her indignation over his sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia. Following Agamemnon's death, she ruled Argos alongside her lover, Aegisthus, until her own life was taken by her son, Orestes.

Cassandra

Cassandra, daughter of King Priam of Troy, possessed the tragic gift of prophecy: she could foresee the future accurately, yet was doomed never to be believed. As a captive brought by Agamemnon to Argos, she foresaw his impending murder and was subsequently killed by Clytemnestra.

Aegisthus

Aegisthus, a cousin to Agamemnon, became the lover of Clytemnestra. After orchestrating Agamemnon's killing, he co-ruled Argos with Clytemnestra until Orestes avenged his father's death by killing him.

Orestes

Orestes, son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, was dispossessed of his inheritance in Argos following his father's murder. During his exile, he was instructed by the oracle of Apollo to avenge Agamemnon by slaying his murderers. Upon returning, he reunited with his sister Electra at their father’s grave. After revealing his mission, he executed his mother and her lover. This act invited the wrath of the Furies, driving him to madness. Seeking sanctuary at the temple of Apollo in Delphi, he found peace through Athena's intervention. She arranged a trial with twelve Athenian citizens, where Apollo argued that Orestes was innocent of blood guilt, as maternity does not establish blood relations. The trial's tie vote resulted in Orestes being absolved.

Electra

Electra, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra and sister to Orestes, was left to mourn her father's death alone. She conducted the rites at his grave, where she eventually encountered Orestes. Initially unaware of his identity, she was ultimately convinced and urged him to exact vengeance upon their mother and her lover for their father's murder.

The Furies

The Furies, also known as the Eumenides, are the progeny of Night assigned the duty of pursuing murderers and driving them to madness. They relentlessly chased Orestes until he was declared innocent by the judges. Angered by the new divine order that curtailed their ancient powers, they were placated by Athena, who promised them honor and reverence if they remained in Athens as benevolent deities.

Athena

Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the patron deity of Athens, favors mercy and justice. In Orestes' case, she championed the new laws over the old, soothing the Furies by transforming their role into that of the "gracious ones" or Eumenides, thereby ensuring their honored place in Athens.

Apollo

Apollo, the deity of poetry, music, prophecy, and healing, commanded Orestes to avenge his father's murder by killing Clytemnestra. During Orestes' trial, Apollo defended him, asserting that no blood guilt was incurred in the act, as the maternal role is not considered a blood link; familial ties are derived from the paternal line. This argument supported Orestes' ultimate acquittal.