Ajax the Lesser- Greek HeroHero"Swift Son of Oileus"
Also known as: Αἴας and Aias
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Description
Ajax son of Oileus dragged Cassandra from Athena's altar during the sack of Troy. On the voyage home, Poseidon wrecked his ship but cast him onto a rock. Ajax boasted that he had survived against the will of the gods. Poseidon split the rock.
Mythology & Lore
Warrior at Troy
Ajax son of Oileus led the Locrian contingent of forty ships to Troy. He was small and fast, lightly armed in a linen corslet where his greater namesake wore heavy bronze. At the funeral games for Patroclus, he ran the footrace and was about to win when Athena tripped him. He fell face-first in cow dung. Odysseus took the prize.
The Sacrilege Against Cassandra
When Troy fell, Cassandra fled to Athena's altar and clung to the goddess's sacred image. Ajax dragged her away by force. Odysseus demanded he be stoned to death for the sacrilege. Ajax escaped by running to the same altar he had just violated. The Greeks sailed without punishing him.
Divine Retribution and Death
Athena and Poseidon sent storms against the Greek fleet on the voyage home. Poseidon smashed Ajax's ship near the Capherean Rocks off Euboea but cast him onto a crag. Ajax clung to the rock and shouted that he had survived against the will of the gods. Poseidon split the rock with his trident. Ajax fell into the sea and drowned.
For centuries afterward, the Locrians sent maidens to serve at Athena's temple in Troy as expiation.