Ajax

(for the computer term, see AJAX)

Ajax the Great or "Telamonian Ajax" was the tallest and strongest of the Achaean warriors fighting on the side of the Greeks against Troy during the Trojan War in Greek mythology. A native of Salamis, he was the Greek army's greatest champion, second only to Achilles. When Achilles was killed, a dispute arose over who was worthy of his magical armor. When the armor was given to Odysseus, Ajax considered it a personal dishonor and swore revenge. Athena drove him mad, so that instead of killing the Greek chieftains, he slaughtered the cattle the Greeks had with them, beating one large bull (which he mistook for Odysseus) to death with his bare hands. When his senses returned, he was shamed even further by his actions, and killed himself.

Sources[edit]

• Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton, Warner Books, 1969

See also[edit]

• Iliad