Ajax
The massive warrior from Salamis who carried a shield like a tower wall and held the Greek line when every other defender broke.
The Legend of Ajax
Ajax the Great was the son of Telamon, king of Salamis, and the largest, strongest Greek warrior at Troy after Achilles. His shield — described by Homer as like a city wall, made of seven layers of oxhide with a bronze facing — was his defining attribute. He needed no divine aid: while other heroes relied on Athena or Apollo, Ajax fought on pure strength and courage. When the Trojans breached the Greek wall and set fire to the ships, it was Ajax who held the line, standing on the decks and fighting off attackers with a massive naval pike. He duelled Hector to a draw, and they exchanged gifts in mutual respect. But after Achilles's death, when Achilles's divine armour was awarded to Odysseus instead of Ajax, the great warrior went mad — Athena filled his mind with delusion, and he slaughtered a flock of sheep believing them to be the Greek commanders who had dishonoured him. When sanity returned, the shame was unbearable. Ajax drove his sword into the ground and fell upon it.
Fun Fact
Ajax is the only major Greek hero at Troy who never receives divine assistance — he fights entirely on human strength.
Explore Further
Hippomedon
🗡 heroNone recorded
One of the Seven against Thebes, a towering warrior known for his ferocity in battle
Ajax the Great
🗡 heroMightiest Greek warrior after Achilles
Ajax son of Telamon was the tallest and strongest of the Greek warriors at Troy, a tower of a man who fought with a massive shield and never received divine aid.
Abas
🗡 heroKingship, warfare
King of Argos renowned as a fierce warrior whose very shield could terrify enemies
Hector
🗡 heroChampion of Troy
Hector was Troy's greatest warrior, who fought not for glory but to defend his city, wife, and son.
Schedius
🗡 heroPhocian leadership, combat
Commander of the Phocian contingent at Troy who was killed by Hector during the great battles
Telamon
🗡 herowar
King of Salamis, Argonaut, companion of Heracles, and father of Ajax the Great and Teucer.
Aretus
🗡 heroCombat, endurance
Trojan warrior who fought and died during the battles before the walls of Troy
Asius
🗡 heroChariot warfare, leadership
Trojan ally from Arisbe who insisted on fighting from his chariot against Greek fortifications
Chromios
🗡 heroCombat, defence
Trojan warrior who fought in the defence of Troy during the long Greek siege
Dolops
🗡 heroCombat, lineage
Trojan warrior and son of Lampus who fought bravely before falling at Troy
Ajax the Lesser
🗡 heroSwift warrior of the Locrians
Ajax son of Oileus was a fast, fierce, impious warrior whose assault on Cassandra in Athena's temple brought divine wrath upon the Greek fleet.
Tydeus
🗡 heroThe ferocious warrior who forfeited immortality
A hero of savage courage who fought as one of the Seven Against Thebes but lost Athena's gift of immortality in his final moment.