Thursday, September 27, 2012

Protect Patroklos' body


          Although Achilles has not yet determined to enter the fight, he is going to allow Patroklos to wear his armor in an attempt to fight off the Trojans from burning our ships. I think this is a very good idea because it may give us an edge we need to save our ships and once they see Achilles armor, they may be scared. At the very least, it will put a thought into their heads that Achilles may be back soon.
                      Patroklos did a very admirable job for us as he was able to push the Trojans further back, but unfortunately he was killed by Hektor. Menelaus has asked me to protect his body so we may return his body to Achilles. The Trojans are doing their best to grab his body, but I’m protecting him with every ounce of strength I have. I’ve already slaughtered numerous Trojans today, but I couldn’t keep them from taking Achilles armor as Hektor ripped it off and placed it on himself. I bet he regrets that later. It got to a point where I told Menelaus I needed more help protecting the body so we called for help from the Danaans. All in all, it was a bloody battle, but I ordered our men to stand hard and fast about him and fight at close quarters and we did.  If Achilles doesn’t enter this fight now after his best friend was killed, I don’t think he ever will.

The fight over Patroklos' body

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

We must defend our ships


Calchas has spoken to Little Ajax and me through Poseidon and granted us new strength.  In the midst of the battle, the Trojans have done their best to advance further in our camp, but we are holding our own. I am fighting in the center and holding my ground here to defend our fort.  It appears we have killed most of their best fighters, but Hektor remains.

Poseidon has arrived to tell us that the strongest fighters must grab the strongest armor and as a result, I put on the heaviest armor I can find. During battle, I was able to pick up a giant boulder and hurl it at Hektor who definitely got injured as he was dragged away from the front line by his men.

Another battle between Hektor has arisen as we fight over our ships. I was able to kill Caletor, but in response, they killed my friend Lycophron. I will not stand for this. I immediately told Teucer to send a bow at Hektor, but his bow mysteriously snaps. I then called out to all of my men to defend these ships at all costs as we will not win this war if they destroy our ships. I was able to use a massive pike to fend off incoming Trojans. With Achilles still out, I must be the leader in battle for these men. Our ships are intact, for now.

Poseidon through Calchas:
Aiantes, you two, remembering the spirit of warcraft and that that of shivering panic, must save the Achaian people. Elsewhere in truth I do not fear the Trojans' invincible hands, though in full force they have swarmed over our great wall; since the strong-greaved Achaians will be able to hold the rest of them. But I fear most terribly disaster to us in the one place where that berserk flamelike leads them against us, Hektor, who claims he is the son of Zeus of the high strength. May this be the message some one of the gods gives your minds to carry, that you stand fast strongly yourselves, urge the rest to stand also. Thus, hard though he sweeps on, you might stay him beside the fast-running ships, even though the very Olympian wakes him to battle. (13.47-58)
Aias response:

So for me also now the invincible hands on my spearshaft are furious, my strength is rising, and both feet beneath me are sweeping me onward, so that I long even for single combat with Hektor, Priam's son, the forver avid of battle (13.77-80)

Thursday, September 20, 2012

It doesn't look good...


Despite the fact that Achilles spurned our offer, we must regroup. I am actually surprised Agamemnon was willing to give up numerous possessions to get Achilles back, but he then proclaimed that he was still the greatest king so he still thinks he’s better then Achilles. With that attitude, we may never get Achilles back. Nestor has approached us with an idea, a suggestion that we send a spy to find out the Trojan ways. The suggestion quickly gained support as Diomedes and Odysseus stepped forward to spy on the Trojans.

This most recent battle has been a tough one. We’ve had numerous leaders injured including Agamemnon, Diomedes, and Odysseus. In fact, I carried Odysseus back into the tent to prevent him from getting injured even more after they surrounded him. He took a shot to the ribs.  We also had Machaon injured by the hands of Paris so I was forced to retreat in the fight. These injuries are piling up and the future doesn’t look promising, again.

Diomedes and Odysseus on their raid and massacre

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

We need Achilles


Oh man, what a reversal. Just moments ago we had victory in our grasps, but now, it doesn’t look good. We are getting beat soundly and there is no help from the gods in sight.  Despite the fact that doom and gloom might be approaching an eagle has just arrived carrying a fawn and this is a good motivator. While we begin a comeback, Teucer is killing guys left and right with his arrows. He was rolling until he got injured and unfortunately, it looks like we need Achilles now more than ever to win this war.

While we sat in the camp, Agamemnon realized what most of us already knew-we needed Achilles. He decided to send me, Odysseus, and Phoenix to communicate with him. If he accepted, Agamemnon would give him a bounty of gifts in return for him fighting. When we went to talk to Achilles, he would not budge. It was clear to me that the spat between him and Agamemnon cut deep and with that, our fate may be doomed.

Achilles and Ajax

Thursday, September 13, 2012

A duel!


Here we are in the middle of the fight and Diomedes is doing his best job to help fill in for Achilles, but we greatly miss him. He is the heart and soul of the Achaeans. The devastation is large on both sides. We have lost too many men to count. The good news is that the Trojans haven’t been much luckier as we’ve slaughtered quite a few of them too. It seems like everyone in this battle is getting help from gods, but me. It now appears we have the Trojans on their heels.

Hektor has gone to the front of the battle and offered any of the Achaeans to fight him. Menelaus stepped forward, but Agamemnon knew better because Hektor is a much better fighter than Menelaus and we don’t need him to get killed. I stepped forward to take on the challenge along with 8 other men, but everyone knows I'm the guy to fight Hektor with Achilles out. The battle starts and we both missed with our spears, but I drew blood with my lance. As we were about to sword fight, the battle was ended by heralds. We ended the duel and made a pact of friendship. Nestor comes and tells us to have a day for the dead and it’s a good idea so we can bury them. The Trojans came back a day later and offered everything but Helen; however we know it’s time to finish these Trojans off.

Ajax and Hektor fighting
Duel of Ajax & Hector in the Trojan War, with Athena & Apollo | Greek vase, Athenian red figure kylix

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

It's time to Rumble


So, here we are in a terrible bout of sickness for our people and all Agamemnon has to do is give up his woman to end it. But no, he can’t do that so he has to go and steal Achilles prize woman instead. I expect Achilles to revolt; wait a minute, here comes Achilles to challenge him and rightfully so. The fact that Agamemnon thinks he is the leader because he brought the most men is hogwash. When the battle is on the line, it will be my brute strength and Achilles bravery that will save the Greeks.

After Agamemnon says he has had enough of the war and is leaving, his troops follow him, but this can’t be the end. Sure enough, here comes Odysseus to fire everyone up for battle and I’m ready to fight.

I may not be the most intelligent man out here, but I will never back down from a fight like Paris just did. He wanted to battle anyone of us one on one, and while I would have loved the chance to cut his head off, Menelaus stepped forward. Despite backing down from his claim, his brother just called him out for being a coward and they are going to fight!...... The battle seems to have died down, but I managed to do what I do best; go to battle and kill.

Paris and Menelaus begin to fight

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Background

I am Ajax the Greater, son of Telamon and Perrboea. My grandpa, Aeacus, is the son of Zeus. My half brother is my close friend, Teucer. I am also the king of Salamis. My cousin, Achilles, and I are the bravest and strongest warriors anyone can find. I am known as Ajax the Greater to distinguish myself from another Ajax, son of Oileus. People also refer to me as Telamonian Aias and the bulwark of the Achaeans.





Teucer and I

Bibliography of sources:

“Ajax (mythology)”.  Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 14 October 2012. Web. 15 October. 2012.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajax_(mythology)>

BBC News. Palace of Ajax found in Greece. 28 March 2006. Web. 8 October 2012. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4853332.stm>

Ellis, Nick. Menelaus and Paris. 2009. Web. 28 September 2012. <http://www.nickellis.co.uk/Illos%20folder/Menelaus%20and%20Paris.jpg>

Gibbs, Laura. Myths and Legends: Odysseus and Diomedes. 2010. Web. 19 October 2012.  <http://bestlatin.blogspot.com/2010/03/myths-and-legends-odysseus-and-diomedes.html

Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Richard Lattimore. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2011.

Ino V. Book VI-X of Iliad. 2009. Web. 03 October 2012.  <http://inovalena.blogspot.com/>

Lahanas, Michael. Ajax. Web. 6 October 2012. <http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Mythology/Ajax.html>

Lahanas, Michael. Part I-Ancient Greece. Web. 6 October 2012 <http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/PortraitsA4.htm>

Russ, Robert. The Death of Hektor. Web. 10 October 2012. <http://russr.tripod.com/death.htm>

The Project Gutenburg Ebook. The Iliad of Homer by Homer. 2006. Web. 27 September 2012.  <http://www.gutenberg.org/files/6130/6130-h/6130-h.html>

“The Trojan War- Duel of Aias and Hektor” Musée du Louvre, Paris, France. Web. 10 October 2012  <http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/K5.10.html>