Ajax

By: Jessica Shyloski

Back Round: mother/ father/ Nationality Ajax son of Telamon, ruler of Salamis and a hero in the Trojan War, also

known as "Ajax the Great" Ajax the lesser son of Oileus, ruler of Locris and a less prominent combatant

in the Trojan War The most remembered Greek worrier , and elder half brother of Teaucer .  Ajax is thee son of Telamon , who was the son of Aeacus and grandson of

Zeus , and his first wife Periboea He’s Greek

What was he know for? Ajax (also known as Aias) was one of the greatest of the

Greek heroes who fought in the Trojan War Ajax was named after an eagle (aietos) that Telamon had seen before his birth Ajax competed with other Greek warriors to win the hand in marriage of

Helen*, one of the most beautiful women of the time.

Ajax supposedly looked like a tower when he went into battle holding his shield.

He was courageous and good-hearted but spoke very slowly and preferred to let others talk while he fought.

How did they take part in Trojan War? Hector is able to disarm Ajax (although Ajax is not hurt) and Ajax is forced to

retreat, seeing that Zeus is clearly favoring Hector he begs the soul of Ajax to speak to him, but Ajax, still resentful over the old

quarrel, refuses and descends silently back into Erebus. Ajax throws a giant rock at Hector which almost kills him. second fight between Ajax and Hector occurs when the latter breaks into the

Mycenaean camp, and fights with the Greeks among the ships Ajax throws a giant rock at Hector which almost kills him.

Ajax's prayer to Zeus to remove the fog that has descended on the battle to allow them to fight or die in the light of day has become proverbial.

How did they die or give another notable story? Ajax's death but does ascribe it to his loss in the dispute over Achilles's shield:

when Odysseus visits Hades, he begs the soul of Ajax to speak to him, but Ajax, still resentful over the old quarrel, refuses and descends silently back into Erebus.

he comes to his senses, covered in blood, and realizes what he did, with diminished honor he decides that he prefers to kill himself rather than to live in shame.

when Achilles dies, killed by Paris (with help from Apollo), Ajax and Odysseus are the heroes that fight against the Trojans to get the body and bury it next to his friend, Patroclus. Ajax, with his great shield and spear

 After recovering his senses, he was so ashamed that he killed himself with the sword Hector had given him.