Hercules: The Legendary Journeys is an American television series based on the tales of the classical Greek hero, produced from January 16, 1995, to November 22, 1999. It had two spin-off series: Xena: Warrior Princess, which ran from 1995 to 2001, and the prequel Young Hercules, which ran in 1998 and 1999. This list includes significant characters from all three series.
Main characters
Hercules (portrayed by Kevin Sorbo as an adult, Ian Bohen as young Hercules in flashbacks, Ryan Gosling as young Hercules in Young Hercules) - The demi-god son of Zeus and Alcmene and strongest man in the world, and arch-rival to his older half brother Ares, the God of War. The champion of man who defeated and reformed the once power-hungry warlord Xena making her see the errors of her ways that set her on her path of redemption. Iolaus (portrayed by Michael Hurst as an adult, and Dean O'Gorman as young Iolaus in flashbacks and in Young Hercules) - Hercules' sidekick, best friend, and companion. Xena (portrayed by Lucy Lawless) - Once a power-hungry warlord, she was shown the error of her ways by Hercules and later repented and renounced her old life as an evil warrior. However, as she was about to turn her back on her old life, she came across a group of young girls destined to be sold into slavery, one of which was Gabrielle, who later allied and morally guided Xena in her adventurous journeys. Xena is considered to be a counterpart of Hercules, despite her supposed pure-mortal blood-status. She is considered extremely powerful in the spiritual world, having defeated Alti on many occasions. Gabrielle (portrayed by Renee O'Connor) - One of a number of farm girls who were about to become slaves. She was rescued in Xena's first acts of good and immediately decided to remain with Xena as an ally. Though Xena initially resisted her, Gabrielle pushed her luck and impressed Xena enough to become her sidekick. She is Xena's moral guide, companion, and love interest.
The Amazons The Amazons are an all-female tribe who make frequent appearances in the series. They are first depicted as a large nation that spreads throughout the land and then later as a number of tribes scattered throughout the world, segregated by an unknown cataclysm from their distant past. The Amazons trace their creation to the goddess Artemis, and value an all-female society that strives to uphold the same rights and freedoms for women as those of men. Each tribe is headed by a queen, whose position may be either inherited, or passed on as a right of caste to any named successor. A queen's authority may also be openly challenged by another royal Amazon and her title relinquished if she is defeated in single combat.
Although several tribes are known in different countries, Xena deals prominently with the Greek Amazons and the Northern Amazons of Siberia. With her fighting skills and advocacy for women's rights, Xena bears a striking resemblance to the Amazons. But she is careful to emphasize that she is not an Amazon, nor does she deserve the honor of becoming one. She turns down offers to join the tribes, preferring an independent, nomadic lifestyle to the membership of a collective. The series reveals that some of the Amazons do not trust Xena because of atrocities she committed against them in her past, although most respect her abilities as a warrior.
Gabrielle, on the other hand, during her first encounter with the Greek Amazon tribe throws herself over an Amazon named Terreis to protect her from falling arrows. Although Terreis is already dying, she is impressed by Gabrielle's bravery and gives her right of caste. Terreis was the next in line to rule, and by giving Gabrielle the right, Gabrielle becomes an Amazon Princess of the Greek tribe.
This chance encounter leads to Gabrielle's acceptance into the Amazons, and with it she carries her title's duties and expectations. Although Gabrielle decides to continue to follow Xena on her adventures, she is occasionally called by her Amazon sisters in times of need or to fulfill her duties as royalty. The tribes also value Xena as an experienced warrior, and occasionally request her assistance.
Among the known Amazons are:
Amarice (portrayed by Jennifer Sky) - She is an over-zealous young Amazon. She disputed Eli's philosophy of non-violence and criticized Gabrielle for following it. Amarice vowed to live her life in memory of "The Warrior Princess". Killed in battle. Chilapa (portrayed by Nicole Whippy) - The second-in-command to the residing Amazon queen Ephiny. When Ephiny is killed in battle at the hands of Brutus, Chilapa leads the Amazons until the return of Gabrielle, who is the true queen of that tribe. When Gabrielle decides to step down from her role as queen and remain with Xena, Gabrielle gives her Right of Caste to Chilapa to serve as official queen of that tribe. Lilith (portrayed by Susan Brady as an adult, Jodie Rimmer as a teenager) - Jason's first love, and mother of his daughter Seska. Melosa (portrayed by Alison Bruce) - The queen of an Amazon tribe of Greece. Her sister Terreis is killed by an arrow and protected by Gabrielle who bestows upon her her right of caste. Melosa upholds the right of caste despite protests from Ephiny. Princess Terreis (portrayed by Rebekah Mercer) - Princess of the Telaquire Amazons. Killed by Krykus in battle. She was replaced by Gabrielle. Queen Cyane I (portrayed by Victoria Pratt) - Queen of the Northern tribes. Killed by Xena under Alti's influence. Queen Cyane II (portrayed by Shelley Edwards) - Another queen of the northern tribes. Queen Cyane III (portrayed by Morgan Reese Fairhead) - The third and final queen of the Northern tribes. Queen Ephiny (portrayed by Danielle Cormack) - The proud and loyal Amazon queen of the Telaquire tribe. Although loyal to her tribe, she wanted to foster peace between her people and the Centaurs. She later marries a Centaur named Phantes, and bears him a centaur son named Xenan in honor of Xena. She is the queen of an Amazon tribe while Queen Gabrielle is away. She is later killed by Brutus and her spirit is later seen by Gabrielle. Queen Gwyn-Teir (portrayed by Kirstie O'Sullivan) - Queen of the Celtic tribes. Killed in battle and her body fed to a shark to save the other Amazons from shark's teeth. Queen Hippolyta (portrayed by Roma Downey) - Daughter of Ares and an unknown mortal woman. She is the queen of the Amazons. Queen Kanae (portrayed by Marise Wipani) - Queen of the Telaquire tribes. Queen Marga (portrayed by Sela Apera) - A queen of the Greek tribes who was killed by Prince Moloch. Queen Mawu-Ka (portrayed by Michelle Blanchard) - Queen of the African tribes. Killed in battle. Queen Mayam (portrayed by Tina Cleary) - The queen of a renegade outlaw Amazon tribe. She was responsible for blinding Ruun, killing his parents, and abducting his sister Siri. She was later killed in battle by Hercules. Queen Otere (portrayed by Sanelle Vosloo as a child, Sheeri Rappaport as adult) - A child who as an adult became a queen of the Northern tribes. Queen Varia (portrayed by Tsianina Joelson) - Another queen of the Greek tribes who trained by Xena after Marga's death. Solari (portrayed by Jodie Dorday) - An Amazon who befriends Gabrielle and supports her becoming Queen of the Amazons. Velasca declares her a traitor to the Amazon nation. In "A Necessary Evil", Solari aids in attacking Velasca and setting up a trap to slow her down. She was killed at the beginning of the episode "Endgame" by Brutus' troops. Tura (portrayed by Mia Korning) - Varia's younger sister. Killed in Livia's attack. Yakut (portrayed by Kate Elliott) - The shamaness of the Northern tribes who revived Alti's spirit for good without the knowledge of the danger. Killed in battle, but her spirit continued forever.
Mortals 50 Daughters of King Thespius - 50 unnamed women who are King Thespius' daughters. When King Thespius became the King of Athens, his oldest daughter (portrayed by Nancy Schroeder) and her sisters pursued Hercules so that he would sire children with them. When they followed him to Traycus, they eventually turned their attention to Salmoneus. In "The Wedding of Alcmene," the 50 Daughters of King Thespius attended the Wedding of Alcmene where most of them met Domesticles. The lead sister asked Alcmene why Hercules was shy around her. Alcmene (portrayed by Jennifer Ludlam, Kim Michalis, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Liddy Holloway, Rachel Blakely, and Sharon Tyrrell in the TV series, voiced by Josephine Davison in the animated film) - Alcmene is the mother of Hercules and Iphicles through Zeus. Later on her life, Alcmene marries King Jason which resulted in Jason passing the crown to Iphicles. She later dies of a weak heart. Alti (portrayed by Claire Stansfield) - Alti is an evil shaman who sought revenge against the Siberian Amazon nation for expelling her from their tribe. She is repeatedly defeated by Xena and Gabrielle. Amphion (portrayed by Brad Carpenter) - A warrior who fought many battles alongside Hercules and Iolaus. During the Siege of Carthage, the men under his command disobeyed his orders and killed the women and children. Because of this, Amphion left the warrior business, became a holy man of peace, and settled in Plurabus. The then fell in love with Lea. The politician Tracius framed Amphion for killing Tallus and Shira. When Hercules and Iolaus found the Sword of Veracity, they proved Amphion's innocent and exposed Tracius as the true culprit. Afterwards, Amphion and Lea got married. In "The Wedding of Alcmene", Amphion officiated the wedding of Jason and Alcmene. Argonauts - A group of heroes who accompanied Jason, Hercules, and Iolaus in finding the Golden Fleece. Archivus (portrayed by Tim Raby) - The Argonauts' bard and recorder. In "The Wedding of Alcmene", Archivus attended the wedding of Jason and Alcmene where he assisted in fighting off the mercenaries enlisted by Patronius. Domesticles (portrayed by John Sumner) - The Argonauts' master of the discus. In "The Wedding of Alcmene", Domesticles attended the wedding of Jason and Alcmene and even spent time with the 50 Daughters of King Thespius. He later assisted in fighting off the mercenaries enlisted by Patronius. Phoebe (portrayed by Willa O'Neill) - The daughter of the Argonauts' lookout Lycinus who accompanied the Argonauts into reclaiming the Golden Fleece from the Blood-Eye Cult following her father's death. In "The Wedding of Alcmene", Phoebe attended the wedding of Jason and Alcmene. She told Hercules that Echidna can't come as she is pregnant. Phoebe later assisted in fighting off the mercenaries enlisted by Patronius. Atalanta (portrayed by Corey Everson) - Atalanta is a Greek athlete, blacksmith, and female warrior exclusive in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. She fell in love with Hercules right from her first appearance. Autolycus (portrayed by Bruce Campbell) - Autolycus is the self-proclaimed "King of Thieves" who has a kinder heart than he lets on. He is friends with Xena and Hercules, though they don't always trust him for his devious nature. In Greek mythology outside of the show, Autolycus is a demigod son of Hermes and Chione. Bellerophon (portrayed by Craig Parker) - Believes himself to be a son of Artemis by a mortal father. He swore to exterminate the Amazons after they abandoned Artemis as their Goddess of worship. When Bellerophon recognizes Xena among the Amazons he is attacking, he makes a plan to trap and kill her in retribution for killing his mother Artemis. When Xena prevails in battle, she gives Bellerophon the opportunity to live by giving up his fight against the Amazons, but he believes he can't be killed since he is a half-god which sealed his fate. Beowulf (portrayed by Renato Bartolomei) - A warrior who recruits Xena to kill the monster Grindl.