A Greek hero that participated in the war on the Trojans. He was a cousin of Achilles, and was said to be second only to him.
To distinguish him from the other Ajax, he is known as "Telamonian Ajax" (for his father, Telamon), or as Ajax the Great.
One of the men who competed for Helen's hand in marriage, he was bound by honor to join the other Achaeans in their war. On arrival, he proved himself time and again, fighting side by side with his half-brother Teucer. He himself wielded the famous shield Rho Aias and long spears, while his brother behind him shot at the Trojans, working together to amass some of the biggest body counts in the entire war.
When his cousin had left the field to protest against Agamemnon, the duty of dueling the greatest warrior of Troy fell to Ajax.
During this duel, Hector threw his spear, which had never failed to penetrate its target, but was blocked by Ajax' shield after piercing through to its innermost layer.
To show their respect for one another, Ajax and Hector exchanged gifts: he gave Hector a purple sash, and received from him his sword.
In other parts of the Iliad, Ajax defended the whole of the Greek fleet against the Trojans, leaping from ship to ship wielding his spear.
By doing this, he held out long enough for Patroclus to appear, dressed in the armour of Achilles, which drove off the attackers.
When Achilles had died, it was Ajax who brought his body back to the camp while Odysseus fended off the attacking Trojans. Because of this, both he and Odysseus felt entitled to the magnificent armour of the slain hero. In the end, the Greeks voted to give it to Odysseus.
Falling into a black rage, Ajax attacked a herd of sheep in the belief they were the leaders of the Greeks. When he came back to his senses, the shame he felt led him to throw himself on the sword Hector had once given him.
Originally Posted by Valmiki
