AJAX

Handmade statue of the mythical hero Ajax,made of alabaster and metal-coated by Veronese Design.

Ajax  is a Greek mythological hero, the son of King Telamon and Periboea. He plays an important role, and is portrayed as a towering figure and a warrior of great courage.   He is also referred to as “Telamonian Ajax” , “Greater Ajax”, or “Ajax the Great” .  Which distinguishes him from Ajax, son of Oileus, also known as Ajax the Lesser.

Description

In Homer’s Iliad he is described as of great stature, colossal frame and strongest of all the Achaeans. Known as the “bulwark of the Achaeans.   He was trained by the centaur Chiron (who had trained Ajax’s father Telamon and Achilles’s father Peleus ) at the same time as Achilles. He was described as fearless, strong and powerful but also with a very high level of combat intelligence.

Most notably, He is not wounded in any of the battles described in the Iliad.  And he is the only principal character on either side who does not receive substantial assistance from any of the gods.  
Unlike Diomedes, Agamemnon, and Achilles, he appears as a mainly defensive warrior, instrumental in the defense of the Greek camp and ships and that of Patroclus’ body. When the Trojans are on the offensive, he is often seen covering the retreat of the Achaeans. Significantly, while one of the deadliest heroes in the whole poem, Ajax has no aristeia depicting him on the offensive.

Death

As the Iliad comes to a close, Ajax and the majority of other Greek warriors are alive and well. When Achilles dies, killed by Paris (with help from Apollo), Ajax and Odysseus are the heroes who fight against the Trojans to get the body.  And bury it with his companion, Patroclus.  With his great shield and spear, manages to recover the body and carry it to the ships.  While Odysseus fights off the Trojans. After the burial, each claims Achilles’ magical armor, which had been forged on Mount Olympus.  By the smith-god Hephaestus, for himself as recognition for his heroic efforts.

A competition is held to determine who deserves the armor. Ajax argues that because of his strength and the fighting he has done for the Greeks, including saving the ships from Hector,  he deserves the armor. However, Odysseus proves to be more eloquent, and with the aid of Athena, the council gives him the armor. Ajax, distraught by this result and “conquered by his own grief”, plunges his sword into his own chest and commits suicide. In the Little Iliad, Ajax goes mad with rage at Odysseus’ victory and slaughters the cattle of the Greeks. After returning to his senses, he kills himself out of shame.

Quality: .Made of cast copper resin, which allows greater detail and a nice weight. All Veronese figurines are beautifully packaged, have great detail and are great collectible gifts.