Only mentioned. Artops, still trying to seduce the "Amazons" claims that breeding their commanders to the Bithynian commanders (meaning himself and his comrades) will produce a race of Alexanders. Alexander is mentioned several other times to similar effect.
ANTIOPE
A disguise adopted by Barsene. Menalippe and Marthesia, dressed as Amazon warriors, claim that their queen Hippolyta and her sister Antiope offer their army to help defend Bithynia.
ARCHIDAMUS
King of Bithynia and Barsene's brother. He has wooed and taken Roxane from Thrace and brought on the current war because he did not ask the king of Thrace's permission to marry her. He will not yield his own sister to Eurymedon to end the war because, he says, she has free choice in the matter of whom she marries. Upon learning that the Thracian camp is a colorful city rather than an armed camp, he wonders if they intend a war or nuptial. When the "Amazon ambassadors" arrive, he is completely taken in by the ruse and gladly accepts their offer of assistance. He orders a masque of Moors to be performed for them. Only after this does he learn from Lyncestes and Polydamas that the ladies have been captured by Eurymedon. He falls into a melancholy that the two "Amazon princesses" seek to dispel by offering him choice of one of them to be his queen. He is reluctant, but agrees at least to attend their feast before giving his answer. He refuses both Amazons and stays true to Roxane. He meets Eurymedon in battle, and both agree to single combat until Barsene and Roxane appear, undisguised, and plead for peace. All are reconciled happily as two priests sing the nuptial song over the new-made couples.
ARTOPS
A Bithynian courtier. He, Neander, and Callias, frightened by the invasion from Thrace, resolve to volunteer to guard Barsene and Roxane on a safe island beyond Bithynia. They go to Orythia and Thalaestris to ask that they be included in the ladies' guard but the wives refuse them. Once made captain of a band of rough soldiers, the foppish courtier expounds upon their country habits. Whilst attempting to seduce the "Amazons" they dispraise their own court women (especially Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia, not realizing those are the very women to whom they speak.) Their soldiers threaten to mutiny, but the captains turn a deaf ear to them. Orythia, Thalaestris, and Marthesia tease Callias, Neander, and Artops by pretending they are prepared to bed them, but at the crucial moment an alarum sounds (by prearranged sign) that the camp is up in arms and the three men are "captured" by their own soldiers, Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix, in disguise. Callias, Neander, and Artops are blindfolded and led away and made to exchange clothes with their soldiers (still believing them to be Thracians), and Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix tease and taunt them with visions of slavery and gelding in Thrace. Callias begs to be hanged instead. They are further humbled by swearing never to bear arms against Thrace and agree to be paraded in women's clothes before having their blindfolds put off to discover they are standing before the "Amazons," Theagines, and Meleager. To save their reputations, Callias, Neander, and Artops capture four of the "treasonous" Amazons only to discover they are Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia (newly unmasked) and the captains are again made fools.
BARSENE
Archidamus' sister. Her father promised her to Eurymedon when Thrace made Bithynia a tributary nation. On his deathbed, however, he promised her to the prince of Thessaly, and she respects his dying wish. She invites Eurymedon to woo her peacefully and without an army at his back. She rankles at being placed safely on an island and petitions her brother to allow her to remain and help fight the war. Roxane and Barsene are captured and like Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe, and Marthesia trussed like Amazons in golden fetters pinioned with silken cords. It is all a ruse, however, for Eurymedon to get close to and woo her. He lays his army at her feet, and she exacts a promise from him to engage with her and Roxane in a trick they mean to pull. She colors her face "a comely brown" and poses as Antiope, the Amazon princess, in league with the Bithynians. In her guise, she complains that seeing plays and hearing poems is not worthy of an Amazon, and that the women yearn to fight and shed blood. Barsene and Roxane test Archidamus's love by offering to let him choose between the two "Amazon princesses" to be his queen. He chooses to remain true to Roxane and when he prepares to fight with Eurymedon, both Roxane and Barsene appear, undisguised, to plead for peace, and all are reconciled happily as two priests sing the nuptial song over the new-made couples.
BUTCHERS
"Ghost characters." At the rumor of the Thracian invasion, they have taken to the street armed with cleavers.
CALLIAS
A Bithynian courtier. He, Neander, and Artops, frightened by the invasion from Thrace, resolve to volunteer to guard Barsene and Roxane on a safe island beyond Bithynia. They go to Orythia and Thalaestris to ask that they be included in the ladies' guard but the wives refuse them. Once made captain of a band of rough soldiers, the foppish courtier expounds upon their country habits. He advises the king to treat for peace and spare bloodshed. He offers the "Amazon ambassadors" that if the warrior women wish to return carrying Bithyan issue in their wombs, that he and the other courtiers would gladly oblige them. Whilst attempting to seduce the "Amazons" they dispraise their own court women (especially Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia, not realizing those are the very women to whom they speak.) Their soldiers threaten to mutiny, but the captains turn a deaf ear to them. Orythia, Thalaestris, and Marthesia tease Callias, Neander, and Artops by pretending they are prepared to bed them, but at the crucial moment an alarum sounds (by prearranged sign) that the camp is up in arms and the three men are "captured" by their own soldiers, Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix, in disguise. Callias, Neander, and Artops are blindfolded and led away and made to exchange clothes with their soldiers (still believing them to be Thracians), and Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix tease and taunt them with visions of slavery and gelding in Thrace. Callias begs to be hanged instead. They are further humbled by swearing never to bear arms against Thrace and agree to be paraded in women's clothes before having their blindfolds put off to discover they are standing before the "Amazons," Theagines, and Meleager. To save their reputations, Callias, Neander, and Artops capture four of the "treasonous" Amazons only to discover they are Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia (newly unmasked) and the captains are again made fools.
CHAERILUS
A nickname that Pistoclerus' suburb mistress calls him.
CITIZENS, TWO
In the second act, the first citizen has heard that the island castle has been burnt and the Thracians are coming next to pillage Bithynia. The second says he will hang himself to avoid being tortured.
CLYTUS
Thracian lord. Clytus and Hyppocles bring in the captured Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe, and Marthesia trussed like Amazons in golden fetters pinioned with silken cords. They release their prisoners, with gallant apologies, after their prince reveals all to be a ruse to get close to and woo Barsene.
DRUMMER
He comes in before Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix.
EURYMEDON
King of Thrace and Roxane's brother. He is at war with Bithynia because their king has taken his sister in marriage without his consent. He comes disguised as an ambassador with Clytus and Hyppocles. He says he is wronged that he has not been granted marriage to Barsene even though Bithynia is a tributary to Thrace and the old Bithynian king promised her when Bithynia was defeated. He offers to end the war if Barsene agrees to marry him. He captures the ladies' ship only to confess the whole war, in which he is assisted by Roxane, is a ruse to get close to and woo Barsene. He lays his army at her feet, and she exacts a promise from him to engage with her and Roxane in a trick they mean to pull. Later, he sneaks into the Bithynian camp, again pledges himself to Barsene, and agrees to the final turn of the ladies' trick. The war engages, and Archidamus meets Eurymedon for single combat before Roxane and Barsene appear, undisguised, and plead for peace. All are reconciled happily as two priests sing the nuptial song over the new-made couples.
HIPPOLYTA
A disguise adopted by Roxane. Menalippe and Marthesia, dressed as Amazon warriors, claim that their queen Hippolyta and her sister Antiope offer their army to help defend Bithynia.
HUSBAND
A "ghost character." He is married to Pisocleus' suburb mistress but is only one of her fifteen lovers. He is so very cuckolded that he sometimes thinks he cuckolds the other lovers when he lies with his own wife.
HYPPOCLES
Thracian lord. Also spelled Hippocles in the play. Clytus and Hyppocles bring in the captured Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe, and Marthesia trussed like Amazons in golden fetters pinioned with silken cords. They release their prisoners, with gallant apologies, after their prince reveals all to be a ruse to get close to and woo Barsene.
KING of BITHYNIA
A "ghost character." When Bithynia fell to Thrace, the old king promised his daughter, Barsene, in marriage to the Thracian prince, now king Eurymedon. His dying breath, however, granted his daughter to the prince of Thessaly.
LACERO
A 'tottered' (tattered) common soldier with a cock feather in his hat. Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix tell Callias, Neander, and Artops that they are going to complain to the king how the captains use up all the regiment's money and finery to deck themselves while the common soldiers are left in squalor. They earn 'four and eight pence weekly.' The soldiers threaten to mutiny, but their captains turn a deaf ear to them. They play a trick by disguising themselves as Thracians and capturing their cowardly captains whilst Callias, Neander, and Artops dally with the "Amazon" warriors in their tent. Callias, Neander, and Artops are blindfolded and led away and made to exchange clothes with their soldiers (still believing them to be Thracians), and Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix tease and taunt them with visions of slavery and gelding in Thrace. Callias begs to be hanged instead.
LYCORIS
A nickname that Pistoclerus calls his suburb mistress.
LYNCESTES
A Bithynian lord, father to Theagines. He along with Polydamas has prepared an island on which to keep the princesses safe during the war. He is amazed at the Thracian navy's ability to pick out the one ship that carried the ladies and take only it. Lyncestes and Polydamas report to Archidamus that the ladies have been captured by Eurymedon. Lyncestes and Polydamas enter at plays end to declare that both armies, learning of the nuptials of their kings and princesses, have fallen into a mutual friendship that has made a virtual nuptial between the armies.
MACRINUS
A 'tottered' (tattered) common soldier with a cock feather in his hat. Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix tell Callias, Neander, and Artops that they are going to complain to the king how the captains use up all the regiment's money and finery to deck themselves while the common soldiers are left in squalor. They earn 'four and eight pence weekly.' The soldiers threaten to mutiny, but their captains turn a deaf ear to them. They play a trick by disguising themselves as Thracians and capturing their cowardly captains whilst Callias, Neander, and Artops dally with the "Amazon" warriors in their tent. Callias, Neander, and Artops are blindfolded and led away and made to exchange clothes with their soldiers (still believing them to be Thracians), and Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix tease and taunt them with visions of slavery and gelding in Thrace. Callias begs to be hanged instead.
MARTHESIA
Thalaestris' woman. She is captured by the Thracians and led in with Orythia, Thalaestris, and Menalippe like Amazons in golden fetters pinioned with silken cords. As part of Barsene's plan, Menalippe and Marthesia dress as Amazon warriors and act as ambassadors to the Bithynians. Orythia, Thalaestris, and Marthesia tease Callias, Neander, and Artops by pretending they are prepared to bed them, but at the crucial moment an alarum sounds (by prearranged sign) that the camp is up in arms and the three men are "captured" by their own soldiers, Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix, in disguise. Menalippe and Marthesia, still as Amazons sing "Time is a feathered thing" in act iv to lull to sleep Orythia, Thalaestris, Theagenes, and Meleager (who still believe the women they bed are Amazons rather than their wives). Callias, Neander, and Artops capture the four of the "treasonous" Amazons and lead in Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia wearing helmets over their heads. When the women remove their helmets (having also removed their Amazon make up), the captains are again made fools.
MELEAGER
A young Bithynian lord, son to Polydamas and husband to Thalaestris. He reports to his king that intelligence has been gathered on the Thracian plan of attack. He reports that their camp is more like a colorful city than a warlike preparation. When he learns that his wife has been captured by the Thracians, he despairs that he may never see her again without little Thracian babies that will call her mother but him captain. Theagines and Meleager are quickly convinced by the arguments of Callias, Neander, and Artops that the Amazon warriors require and desire the Bithynian men to service them and get them children, including the two 'princesses.' They therefore go quickly when the Amazon princesses call them to their tent, justifying themselves that, should the ever meet their wives again, they can then exchange mutual forgiveness. Theagines and Meleager take Orythia and Thalaestris to bed believing they are Amazons rather than their wives. After sex, Theagines and Meleager compare notes. They are surprised that the Amazons had both of their breasts and were "complete women." Theagines and Meleager learn from Orythia and Thalaestris that the Amazons intend to turn traitors and side with Thrace now because Archidamus has refused to choose between the two princesses and will remain true to Roxane. When the truth is revealed, Orthia and Thalaestris laugh at their husbands for having committed innocent fornication and made themselves cuckolds with their own wives.
MENALIPPE
Orythia's woman. She is captured by the Thracians and led in with Orythia, Thalaestris, and Marthesia like Amazons in golden fetters pinioned with silken cords. As part of Barsene's plan, Menalippe and Marthesia dress as Amazon warriors and act as ambassadors to the Bithynians. Menalippe and Marthesia, still as Amazons sing "Time is a feathered thing" in act iv to lull to sleep Orythia, Thalaestris, Theagenes, and Meleager (who still believe the women they bed are Amazons rather than their wives). Callias, Neander, and Artops capture the four of the "treasonous" Amazons and lead in Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia wearing helmets over their heads. When the women remove their helmets (having also removed their Amazon make up), the captains are again made fools.
MISTRESS, SUBURB
A "ghost character." Pisocleus' mistress. She has fifteen lovers, one of whom is her husband and another a one-legged soldier.
MOORS
In a masque, six Moors dance "after the ancient Aethiopian manner." They have bead in their curled hair, bows in hand, and blue satin trousers from waste to knee trimmed in silver. Rings of gold adorn their bare legs and arms. Large pearls hang in their ears. They dance "expressing cheerful adoration of their gods."
NEANDER
A Bithynian courtier. He, Callias, and Artops, frightened by the invasion from Thrace, resolve to volunteer to guard Barsene and Roxane on a safe island beyond Bithynia. They go to Orythia and Thalaestris to ask that they be included in the ladies' guard but the wives refuse them. Once made captain of a band of rough soldiers, the foppish courtier expounds upon their country habits. He brings news that the Amazon queen has brought an army of archers and their ambassadors wish to speak to Archimdamus about joining his fight. Whilst attempting to seduce the "Amazons" they dispraise their own court women (especially Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia, not realizing those are the very women to whom they speak.) Their soldiers threaten to mutiny, but the captains turn a deaf ear to them. Orythia, Thalaestris, and Marthesia tease Callias, Neander, and Artops by pretending they are prepared to bed them, but at the crucial moment an alarum sounds (by prearranged sign) that the camp is up in arms and the three men are "captured" by their own soldiers, Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix, in disguise. Callias, Neander, and Artops are blindfolded and led away and made to exchange clothes with their soldiers (still believing them to be Thracians), and Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix tease and taunt them with visions of slavery and gelding in Thrace. Callias begs to be hanged instead. They are further humbled by swearing never to bear arms against Thrace and agree to be paraded in women's clothes before having their blindfolds put off to discover they are standing before the "Amazons," Theagines, and Meleager. To save their reputations, Callias, Neander, and Artops capture four of the "treasonous" Amazons only to discover they are Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia (newly unmasked) and the captains are again made fools.
NEGROES
"Ghost characters." When the ladies seem to disappear, Polydamas suggests hiring Archidama's "Negro's" who stand at the door to go dive in the ocean for them as Indians dive for pearls.
ORYTHIA
Wife to Theagines. She sends her husband to war insisting that he be valiant and do right by her. She and Thalaestris refuse the petition of Callias, Neander, and Artops to accompany the ladies to the safe island. She is captured by the Thracians and led in with Thalaestris, Menalippe, and Marthesia like Amazons in golden fetters pinioned with silken cords. As part of Barsene's plan, she colors her face "a comely brown" and poses as an Amazon warrior in league with the Bithynians. Orythia, Thalaestris, and Marthesia tease Callias, Neander, and Artops by pretending they are prepared to bed them, but at the crucial moment an alarum sounds (by prearranged sign) that the camp is up in arms and the three men are "captured" by their own soldiers, Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix, in disguise. Theagines and Meleager take Orythia and Thalaestris to bed believing they are Amazons rather than their wives. Theagines and Meleager learn from Orythia and Thalaestris that the Amazons intend to turn traitors and side with Thrace now because Archidamus has refused to choose between the two princesses and will remain true to Roxane. Callias, Neander, and Artops capture the four of the "treasonous" Amazons and lead in Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia wearing helmets over their heads. When the women remove their helmets (having also removed their Amazon make up), the captains are again made fools. Orthia and Thalaestris laugh at their husbands for having committed innocent fornication and made themselves cuckolds with their own wives.
PISTOCLERUS
He is listed as "a news spreader" in the dramatis personae, he is the first citizen woman's "servant" and warns the citizens to fly. He says the Thracians have taken the Bithynian ladies captive and are even now pillaging the city.
POLYDAMAS
A Bithynian lord, father to Meleager. He along with Lyncestes has prepared an island on which to keep the princesses safe during the war. He is amazed at the Thracian navy's ability to pick out the one ship that carried the ladies and take only it. Lyncestes and Polydamas report to Archidamus that the ladies have been captured by Eurymedon. Lyncestes and Polydamas enter at plays end to declare that both armies, learning of the nuptials of their kings and princesses, have fallen into a mutual friendship that has made a virtual nuptial between the armies.
PRIESTS, TWO
They sing the nuptial song at play's end to sanctify the unions between Archidamus and Roxane and Eurymedon and Barsene.
PRINCE of THESSALY
A "ghost character." Barsene's father promised that she should marry the prince of Thessaly on his death bed, and that promise keeps her from agreeing to marry the king of Thrace and end the war.
ROXANE
Eurymendon's sister. She fell in love with Archimdamus and ran away with him to Bithynia and so brought on the current war. She rankles at being placed safely on an island and petitions her new husband to allow her to remain and help fight the war. Roxane and Barsene are captured and like Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe, and Marthesia trussed like Amazons in golden fetters pinioned with silken cords. She is a conspirator with her brother in the capture, but her aim was to bring Eurymedon and Barsene together so he could woo her. As part of Barsene's plan, she colors her face "a comely brown" and poses as Hippolyta, the Amazon queen, in league with the Bithynians. In her disguise, she complains to Archimdamus that he has wronged them by making his camp soft for women, saying Amazon women prefer the virile, rough life that men embrace. Barsene and Roxane test Archidamus's love by offering to let him choose between the two "Amazon princesses" to be his queen. He chooses to remain true to Roxane and when he prepares to fight with Eurymedon, both Roxane and Barsene appear, undisguised, to plead for peace, and all are reconciled happily as two priests sing the nuptial song over the new-made couples.
SERPIX
A 'tottered' (tattered) common soldier with a cock feather in his hat. Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix tell Callias, Neander, and Artops that they are going to complain to the king how the captains use up all the regiment's money and finery to deck themselves while the common soldiers are left in squalor. They earn 'four and eight pence weekly.' The soldiers threaten to mutiny, but their captains turn a deaf ear to them. They play a trick by disguising themselves as Thracians and capturing their cowardly captains whilst Callias, Neander, and Artops dally with the "Amazon" warriors in their tent. Callias, Neander, and Artops are blindfolded and led away and made to exchange clothes with their soldiers (still believing them to be Thracians), and Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix tease and taunt them with visions of slavery and gelding in Thrace. Callias begs to be hanged instead.
SHOEMAKERS
"Ghost characters." At the rumor of the Thracian invasion, they have taken to the street armed with awls.
SOLDIER, MAIMED
A "ghost character." Though he has but one leg, he pays double to lie with the suburb mistress who also lies with Pistoclerus.
TAILORS
"Ghost characters." At the rumor of the Thracian invasion, they have taken to the street armed with yards and bodkins.
THALAESTRIS
Wife to Meleager. She sends her husband to war insisting that he be valiant and do right by her. She and Orythia refuse the petition of Callias, Neander, and Artops to accompany the ladies to the safe island. She is captured by the Thracians and led in with Orythia, Menalippe, and Marthesia like Amazons in golden fetters pinioned with silken cords. As part of Barsene's plan, she colors her face "a comely brown" and poses as an Amazon warrior in league with the Bithynians. Orythia, Thalaestris, and Marthesia tease Callias, Neander, and Artops by pretending they are prepared to bed them, but at the crucial moment an alarum sounds (by prearranged sign) that the camp is up in arms and the three men are "captured" by their own soldiers, Macrinus, Lacero, and Serpix, in disguise. Theagines and Meleager take Orythia and Thalaestris to bed believing they are Amazons rather than their wives. Theagines and Meleager learn from Orythia and Thalaestris that the Amazons intend to turn traitors and side with Thrace now because Archidamus has refused to choose between the two princesses and will remain true to Roxane. Callias, Neander, and Artops capture the four of the "treasonous" Amazons and lead in Orythia, Thalaestris, Menalippe and Marthesia wearing helmets over their heads. When the women remove their helmets (having also removed their Amazon make up), the captains are again made fools. Orthia and Thalaestris laugh at their husbands for having committed innocent fornication and made themselves cuckolds with their own wives.
THEAGINES
A young Bithynian lord, son to Lynestes and husband to Orythia. Sometimes spelled Theagenes. He reports to his king that the battlements are prepared to meet the Thracians. When he learns that his wife has been captured by the Thracians, he despairs that he may never see her again without little Thracian babies gathered about her. Theagines and Meleager are quickly convinced by the arguments of Callias, Neander, and Artops that the Amazon warriors require and desire the Bithynian men to service them and get them children, including the two 'princesses.' They therefore go quickly when the Amazon princesses call them to their tent, justifying themselves that, should the ever meet their wives again, they can then exchange mutual forgiveness. Theagines and Meleager take Orythia and Thalaestris to bed believing they are Amazons rather than their wives. After sex, Theagines and Meleager compare notes. They are surprised that the Amazons had both of their breasts and were "complete women." Theagines and Meleager learn from Orythia and Thalaestris that the Amazons intend to turn traitors and side with Thrace now because Archidamus has refused to choose between the two princesses and will remain true to Roxane. When the truth is revealed, Orthia and Thalaestris laugh at their husbands for having committed innocent fornication and made themselves cuckolds with their own wives.
WOMEN, TWO
Citizens. In the second act, they have heard rumors that the ladies' ship has been overtaken and all drowned.