Ajax the Great: The Bulwark of the Achaeans
In the epic tapestry of the Trojan War, while Achilles represented brilliant fury and Odysseus embodied cunning, Ajax the Great (Aias) stood as the personification of immovable strength and soldierly endurance. Known as the “Bulwark of the Achaeans,” he was the only hero in the Iliad who fought without the direct assistance of the gods, relying instead on his massive physique and indomitable will.
The Giant of Salamis
Ajax was the son of King Telamon of Salamis and a grandson of Aeacus, making him a cousin to Achilles. In Homeric tradition, he is described as a “tower of a man,” standing head and shoulders above the rest of the Greek host.
Unlike the agile warriors who relied on chariots, Ajax fought primarily on foot. He was famously associated with his eight-fold shield—a massive barrier made of seven layers of bull’s hide topped with an eighth layer of bronze. This shield was so large it was described as a wall behind which other soldiers, like his half-brother Teucer, could take cover.
The Duel with Hector
The most famous display of Ajax’s prowess occurred in Book 7 of the Iliad, when the Trojan prince Hector challenged any Greek to single combat. While other heroes hesitated, Ajax stepped forward.
The duel lasted an entire day, with neither hero able to overcome the other. Ajax eventually wounded Hector with a spear and knocked him down with a massive stone, but the heralds stopped the fight as night fell. In a display of mutual respect, the two enemies exchanged gifts:
• Hector gave Ajax his silver-studded sword.
• Ajax gave Hector his purple war-belt.
This exchange would later take on a dark irony, as both gifts played a role in the eventual deaths of their new owners.
The Defense of the Ships
Ajax’s finest hour came when Achilles withdrew from the battle. With the Greeks pinned against the sea and Hector setting fire to the Greek ships, Ajax became the last line of defense.
While most of the Greek leaders were wounded or retreating, Ajax leaped from deck to deck, wielding a massive boarding pike and single-handedly holding back the Trojan army. This moment is often cited by military historians as the ultimate example of “holding the line.”
The Judgment of Arms and the Tragedy of Pride
The glory of Ajax ended not on the battlefield, but in a bitter dispute over honor. After the death of Achilles, his divine armor was to be awarded to the “next greatest” Greek hero. The choice came down to Ajax and Odysseus.
• The Debate: Ajax argued his case based on his military service and bravery. Odysseus used his silver tongue to convince the judges (and, in some versions, the captive Trojans) of his superior strategic value.
• The Loss: When the armor was awarded to Odysseus, Ajax was consumed by a blinding rage and shame (ate).
The Madness of Ajax
In Sophocles’ tragedy Ajax, the goddess Athena strikes the hero with madness to protect the Greek leaders. Ajax, believing he is killing Agamemnon and Menelaus, instead slaughters a flock of sheep. Upon waking and realizing his humiliation, he chooses to maintain his honor through death. He committed suicide by falling upon the very sword Hector had given him.
Religious Cult and Legacy
To the ancient Greeks, Ajax was more than a literary figure; he was a powerful hero-spirit.
• The Aeanteia: A major festival was held in his honor on the island of Salamis.
• Symbol of Democracy: In later Athenian history, the reformer Cleisthenes named one of the ten tribes of Athens after Ajax (Aiantis), cementing his status as a foundational hero of the Athenian state.
Today, the name Ajax remains a synonym for strength and reliability, used by sports clubs and military hardware alike—a fitting tribute to the man who was the shield of an entire army.