Who was Ajax the Lesser in Greek Mythology

Ajax the Lesser was a national hero of the Locrians, son of Oileus and Eriope, and one of two known heroes of that name (the other being Ajax the Great of Salamis or Telamonius) who took part in the Trojan War. In the Homeric Odyssey, Ajax the Lesser mocked the gods who punished him with death. He is also referred to as Ajax the Lesser the Younger, to distinguish him from Aiades the Great son of Telamon.

According to Strabo, he was born in Narika of Locris, where Ovid calls him Naricius the hero. According to the Iliad, he led the Locrus against Troy. He is characterized as one of the great heroes of the Greeks. In battle he wore a linen breastplate, he was brave, fearless, especially skilled at throwing a spear and, along with Achilles, the fastest of all the Greeks.

The myth

According to mythology, Ajax the Lesser is described as a formidable fighter, an excellent spearman and archer and incredibly fast despite his small stature. These natural traits of his led to famous deeds and eventually wrote his name in history. The Locrians participated in the Trojan war in favor of the Achaeans with 40 all-black ships and with 4,800 men since the capacity of each ship was 120 people.

Their leader Aeas always in light armor and weaponry emerged as one of the greatest heroes in hand-to-hand combat. History also wants the army of the Locrians to be lightly armed with bows and slings, but they did not follow him when he fought as a skirmisher, since their weapons were intended for fighting at a distance.

Although very different to the opposite of his namesake, Aedas Telamonius of Salamis, joins his army with him and defeats the Trojans who retreat in terror but he overtakes them and kills them.

Ajax the Lesser also distinguished himself in Patroklos’ epitaph games where he was ranked second after Odysseus after the intervention of the goddess Athena who deprived him of the victory.
But apart from his positive characteristics, Ajax the Lesser stands out for his arrogance and pride.

After the fall of Troy and as the Achaeans rush into the city, Ajax the Lesser enters the temple of Athena. There, Cassandra, the daughter of Priam and Hecabe, described by Homer as “the most beautiful of all” asks for protection from the goddess, but despite this, Ajax the Lesser dishonored the priestess inside the temple of the goddess Athena.

The soothsayer Cassandra’s dishonor causes the goddess Athena’s vision to come to life and turn her eyes to heaven. The Achaeans, in order to appease her, decide to proceed with the stoning and death of Aedas since they must in no case lose the protection of the goddess. But he temporarily manages to escape by begging at the altar of Athena.

After the end of the Trojan war, the Locrians start their journey back home. However, Aedas’ deed has not been forgotten by the goddess Athena, who destroys the ship with lightning, causing a storm near Evia. However, Ajax the Lesser saves himself on a rock, telling the gods that he will survive against their will. Then Poseidon, offended by his arrogance, broke the rock with his trident and Ajax the Lesser perished.

It is believed that his body is buried in Mykonos or Delos according to a burial inscription that reads: “Aiantos tòs Oileos texto n Mykonos tḇ nisdise”.

The goddess Athena, because of the impiety of Aedes, caused suffering to the Locrian tribe for a thousand years and obliged them to send every year virgins of good families to the temple of Athena at Ilion, to serve as slaves in her temple.

The Locrians, fighting with their phalanx, always left a position empty because they believed that Ajax the Lesser always fought with them even after his death. The festival of the Locrians in honor of their hero was the “Aianteia” and every year they loaded a whole boat with offerings and after setting it on fire they let it sail unruly until it was completely destroyed honoring their hero.

Many of their coins depicted him as a haughty and proud warrior. On the obverse the figure of Persephone is recognized and on the reverse the warrior Ajax the Lesser is represented, naked and in an aggressive stance with only a helmet. In his right hand he holds a sword, while in his left he holds a shield adorned with a dragon. His body is rendered as fit and robust as befits any brave warrior ready for battle.

It is also worth mentioning that the tragic poet Sophocles wrote the tragedy, “Ajax the Lesser the Locros” which unfortunately did not survive. In Locris he is still honored today. Its proud form is highlighted in the official emblem of the municipality of Locris.