Ajax the Great
heroAjax 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.
The Myth
Ajax carried a shield of seven ox-hides layered with bronze. He fought Hector in single combat to a draw and defended the Greek ships almost single-handedly. After Achilles' death, Ajax and Odysseus both claimed his armour. The Greeks awarded it to Odysseus. Maddened by the injustice, Ajax slaughtered a flock of sheep believing them to be Greek commanders. When sanity returned, he fell on his own sword. From his blood grew the hyacinth, its petals bearing markings resembling AI — his cry of grief.
Parents
Telamon and Periboea
Children
Eurysaces
Symbols
Fun Fact
The cleaning product Ajax was named after this hero — "stronger than dirt" echoing his mythic power.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth: