Ajax

Pronunciation pronunciation key
ayjaks

Definition 
Archetype of a brave, strong warrior. The Greek hero Ajax is depicted in Homer's Iliad (c. 700 B.C.), which tells the story of the Trojan War, as second only to Achilles in courage and strength but also as arrogant and foolish. Ajax was deeply offended when Achilles' armor was won by Odysseus and in his rage slaughtered a flock of sheep. When he recovered he was overcome with shame and killed himself. "She sat as helpless and despairing among her black locks as Ajax among the slaughtered sheep" (George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, 1860).