Telamonian Ajax: The Myth in Archaic and Classical Greece by Sophie Marianne Bocksberger;

Author:Sophie Marianne Bocksberger; [Bocksberger, Sophie Marianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780192633767
Publisher: OxfordUP
Published: 2021-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

3

Ajax in Athens

Introduction

In Chapter 2, we examined how Telamonian Ajax was received in the historical and socio-cultural context of Aegina, in particular during the first half of the fifth century, since most of the available evidence dates or refers to this period. It is apparent from this investigation that the rivalry between this one-πόλις island and Athens is especially relevant to understanding the political aspect of Ajax’s character in this period, and the influence it had on shaping his reception. These questions, however, have so far only been discussed from an Aeginetan viewpoint. Therefore, we shall now cross the Saronic Gulf to reach the continent, as we move to κλειναὶ Ἀθῆναι.

In this final chapter, I shall examine the reception of Ajax in Athens during the archaic and the classical period. The discussion is organized in three sections which reflect distinct modes in which the Athenians related to the hero. These sections also happen to correspond to different phases in the history of Athens, which means that the material we shall analyse will consequently appear in chronological order.

In the first section, I investigate how the Athenians’ struggle to take control over Salamis in the sixth century shaped Ajax’s representation in Athens by imbuing his figure with strong political valence. I argue that, in this first phase of Ajax’s reception in the πόλις, the Athenians seem to have mainly been concerned about presenting the hero as their close ally, and not yet as a full-blown Athenian, as is often held. This will prompt a discussion on the issue of the possible influence that the use of the Iliad in Athens may have had on the literary transmission of the poem, as I examine the different entries on Ajax in epic catalogues. Finally, I shall also investigate how the rising popularity of his representation on pots (often in scenes that appear for the first time in this period) attests to his increasing importance in Athens.

The second section ranges approximately from the time of Cleisthenes’ reform to that of the advent of a more radical form of democracy in Athens in the middle of the fifth century bce. The Athenians’ relationship to Ajax seems to change fundamentally as considerable effort is put into co-opting him and turning him into a full Athenian hero. This period of time corresponds more or less to that of Atheno-Aeginetan rivalry, which means that this section will constitute the counterpart of Chapter 2. I will first examine the different roles the figure of Ajax plays as one of Athens’ eponymous heroes and as a symbol of the Greeks’ victory against the Persians following the battle of Salamis. Accordingly, Ajax is used by the Athenians to assert their hegemony over other Greek πόλεις. Concomitantly, these two roles also enable the Philaidae, one of Athens’ foremost families which claimed descent from the hero, to strengthen their sphere of influence within the πόλις. Once we have reviewed the different manners in which Ajax is politically significant in this period, I shall analyse

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