Defense of Ajax

Letter from Achaean Theokritus to aged man Theakritos

Father, the Trojans had beaten us back to our ramparts. They would have set our ships ablaze if not for powerful Ajax. We were helpless against the fury of Hector, breaker of men. I took up a great war bow. I rained arrows of desperation upon the Trojans. They flung rocks against our marvelously constructed walls. O how I though only years of mighty Xanthos could ruin them! I aimed for Sarpedon but Zeus diverted my arrow. I aimed for Hector but Apollo cursed my bow and broke the string clean away. Sarpedon took hold of the ramparts and pulled, with the will of ten oxen. His mighty strength cracked the wall and ran earthquakes through the ground, tossing me to one knee. Thus, he gave Trojans way to our beloved ships.

Hector was the first to penetrate our broken defense. Fool he was to meet mighty Ajax, erected before our ships! He held an immense shield of nine hides thick, which took three men to carry. Hector threw a bronze leaved spear. He hit the center of Ajax’s shield, but the tip only passed through five layers. More spears thudded heavily against Ajax’s defense. He did not step back. Some Trojans threw themselves against his shield. Still, Ajax did not budge. He was a wall against which no Trojan could pass. Many unlucky men met his spear of eighteen cubits. Myself and other Achaeans took refuge behind Ajax. We protected his flanks with outstretched spears and readied arrows. And so, Ajax remained immovable. The battle had nearly reached a stalemate.

Finally, powerful Ajax took up a rock, wider than an ox, to threaten the Trojans. They shivered and fell back from the broken battlements, except Hector. Ajax spun and flung the rock. It struck foolish Hector upon the shoulder. He fell to one knee and stumbled back into his companions. I saw him spit blood into the dust. Thus, Ajax won his glory. Hector was removed from battle and the Trojans ceased their attack, easing our Achaean hearts.

O Father! How blessed was I to fight alongside Ajax!