Story Summary
Explore The Madness of Ajax (Extended), a tragic Greek myth where pride leads a legendary hero to ruin after losing Achilles' armor to the cunning Odysseus.
Following the death of Achilles, the Greek camp was divided over who should inherit his divine armor. Ajax the Great, the strongest remaining warrior, believed it was his birthright. However, the assembly, swayed by the eloquence of Odysseus, awarded the prize to the king of Ithaca. Consumed by a cold fury, Ajax plotted to murder Agamemnon and Odysseus under the cover of night. But the goddess Athena intervened, clouding his mind with a divine delusion. Instead of the Greek leaders, Ajax fell upon a herd of livestock, slaughtering them in a gruesome frenzy. He even dragged a massive ram—whom he believed to be Odysseus—to his tent to torture it. When the madness finally lifted, Ajax awoke to find himself drenched in the blood of sheep, his honor shattered. Realizing he had become a laughingstock, he planted the sword once gifted to him by Hector into the earth and fell upon it, ending his life to escape the unbearable shame.
The Moral
Unchecked pride and blind rage can destroy even the strongest of men, proving that the mind's health is as vital as the body's strength.
“My name is a cry of grief; it fits the sorrow that has found me.”
Fun Fact
The 'Madness of Ajax' is the subject of one of the oldest surviving plays by Sophocles, which focused heavily on the hero's psychological state and loss of status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Madness of Ajax (Extended)?
The story warns against the dangers of hubris and the inability to process defeat. It illustrates how a hero's greatest strength can become their downfall when not tempered by emotional resilience.
Why did Athena make Ajax go mad?
Athena struck Ajax with madness to protect the Greek leaders, Agamemnon and Odysseus, from his murderous intent. She used the delusion to humiliate him and prevent a civil war within the Achaean ranks.
Who won the armor of Achilles?
Odysseus won the armor after a heated debate and a vote by the Greek commanders. While Ajax was the superior warrior, Odysseus used his superior oratory skills to convince the judges of his worthiness.
How did Ajax die in Greek mythology?
Ajax committed suicide by falling on his own sword. He chose death because the shame of his public madness and the slaughter of the livestock was more than his pride could bear.
What did Ajax do while he was mad?
Under Athena's spell, Ajax mistook a herd of sheep and cattle for the Greek generals who had slighted him. He slaughtered the animals and tortured a ram, believing it was his rival Odysseus.
What was the significance of Ajax's sword?
The sword Ajax used to kill himself was a gift from Hector, his greatest Trojan rival. This adds a layer of irony, as a gift from an enemy ultimately caused the hero's final destruction.