Ajax ( Greek Mythology)

myminifactory

Ajax, the legendary hero of ancient Greece, is described as a towering figure with great stature and a colossal frame. He stands out as the strongest warrior among the Achaeans, known for his fearless and powerful combat skills. Trained by the centaur Chiron at the same time as Achilles, Ajax was skilled in defense, instrumental in protecting the Greek camp and ships from enemy attacks. During battles, he shielded his troops with a massive shield made of seven cow-hides layered with bronze, earning him the title "bulwark of the Achaeans." Unlike Diomedes and Achilles, who were known for their fierce offense, Ajax excelled in defensive combat, often covering his comrades' retreats. He was also one of the few heroes who remained unscathed throughout the Trojan War, receiving no divine assistance from the gods. As a son of Telamon, king of Salamis, Ajax's reputation grew as he fought bravely against Hector, wounding but not killing him. During the fight over Patroclus' body, Ajax prayed to Zeus for clarity in the battlefield fog, which was promptly granted. In Homer's Odyssey, with Athena's aid, Ajax rescued Achilles' body from the Trojans. However, his rivalry with Odysseus over Achilles' armor led to a bitter dispute, causing Agamemnon to award the prize to Odysseus instead of Ajax. This decision enraged Ajax so much that it ultimately led to his downfall (Odyssey, xi. 541). According to a later account, his disappointment drove him mad; he attacked the camp's sheep under the delusion they were the Trojan enemy and, upon regaining his senses, took his own life with a sword given by Hector. From Ajax's blood sprouted a red flower bearing the initial letters of his name, Ai, symbolizing lament. His ashes were placed in a golden urn on the Rhoetean promontory at the entrance to the Hellespont. Like Achilles, he was said to reside after death in the island of Leuke, located at the mouth of the Danube. In post-Homeric legend, Ajax is described as the grandson of Aeacus and great-grandson of Zeus. He became the patron hero of Salamis Island, where a temple and image were built in his honor, and an annual festival called Aianteia was held to commemorate him. The Athenians claimed Ajax as one of their own after acquiring control over Salamis, inserting a line into Homer's Iliad (book ii. 557 or 558) to support this claim. As a result, Ajax became an Attic hero and was worshipped at Athens, where he had a statue in the market-place, and the tribe Aiantis was named after him.