Ajax the Lesser

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Αἴας ὁ Λοκρός

Swift 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.

The Myth

The smaller Ajax was the fastest runner after Achilles. When Troy fell, he dragged Cassandra from Athena's temple. Athena persuaded Zeus to destroy the Greek fleet. Poseidon wrecked Ajax's ship, but he swam to a rock and boasted he survived against the gods. Poseidon split the rock and drowned him. The Locrians sent two maidens to Troy's temple annually for a thousand years in atonement.

Parents

Oileus and Eriopis

Children

None recorded

Symbols

spearspeedAthena's altar

Fun Fact

The Locrians sent two maidens to Troy annually for nearly a thousand years in atonement — one of history's longest religious obligations.