THE STORY OF AJAX - (S.M.) Bocksberger Telamonian Ajax. The Myth in Archaic and Classical Greece. Pp. xxii + 278, ills, maps. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021. Cased, £75, US$100. ISBN: 978-0-19-886476-9.

Abstract

B.'s monograph on Telamonian Ajax is a timely contribution to the unparalleled fortune the eterno secondo among heroes has been enjoying in recent years. A brand-new commentary of Sophocles' Ajax just appeared for Les Belles Lettres, and another one is forthcoming by S. Murnaghan for the 'Green and Yellow' series. The Ajax myth in all its possible implications is investigated in the rich collective volume Looking at Ajax edited by D. Stuttard (2019). B.'s contribution also focuses on a wide-ranging account of polytropos Ajax, to adopt the provocative title of a recent conference, and it represents the most comprehensive overview of the myth of Ajax in archaic and classical Greece to date.After a brief introduction, the book is divided into three main chapters, followed by a bibliography, index of Greek words, inscriptionum, locorum and a very useful and ample general index. In the introduction B. explains her methodology, a blend of H.R. Jauss's 'Reception Aesthetics' and F. de Saussure's principles of synchronie and diachronie. Accordingly, after establishing Ajax's peculiar attributes in early mythical traditions, the study surveys his reception in all kinds of cultural media.Chapter 1, 'Ajax from Salamis', deals with the hero's representation in early pre-Homeric hexameter poetry and in archaic art. B. reconstructs two of Ur-Ajax's unique features, whichshe convincingly arguesconstitute obliterated pre-Homeric motifs: invulnerability and a hostile relationship with Athena. The first is clearly attested in ancient sources (Hesiod, Pindar, iconography). However, B. argues that Homer indirectly preserves traces of this. Thus, Ajax is the only major hero in the Iliad never wounded, and two similes (14.402-20; 13.321-5) covertly allude to his invulnerability. Also, there is his defensive role of ἕρκος Ἀχαιῶν and his high-risk task of rescuing the bodies of Patroclus and Achilles. Athena's enmity is also implied in the Iliad: Ajax, who is never directly assisted by a god, never prays to Athena. B. argues that Ajax's unique overconfidence in his own strength and suicide in the pre-Homeric account stem from his original invulnerability. B.'s reconstruction of Ur-Ajax, although not completely original, is the most persuasive attempt. With respect to Homeric suppression of wondrous elements (invulnerability and immortality), she rightly refers to J. Griffin's contributions. However, she could have also dealt with M. Davies's studies on the adaptation of folk-tale elements in Homer (e.g. 'The Folk-tale Origins', WS 115 [2002]) and explored in greater depth the bearing of Homer's recasting of Ajax in order to exploit his world view of human frailty and mortality in the Iliad.Chapter 2, 'Ajax in Aegina', convincingly demonstrates that Ajax was imbued with strong political significance throughout the first half of the fifth century, especially during the rivalry between Aegina and Athens. With this aim, it investigates the use made of Ajax by Pindar and Bacchylides in Epinikia for Aeginetan patrons. The analysis follows the...