Shield of Ajax

[The Perilous Dreamer]

Shield of Ajax, a huge shield made of seven cow-hides with a layer of bronze. (Greek mythology)

Ajax the Great

In Homer's Iliad he is described as of great stature, colossal frame and strongest of all the Achaeans. Known as the "bulwark of the Achaeans",[4] he was trained by the centaur Chiron (who had trained Ajax's father Telamon and Achilles's father Peleus and would later die of an accidental wound inflicted by Heracles, whom he was at the time training) at the same time as Achilles. He was described as fearless, strong and powerful but also with a very high level of combat intelligence. Ajax commands his army wielding a huge shield made of seven cow-hides with a layer of bronze.

AJAX THE GREAT IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Ajax the Great possessed famous weapons and armour, but his most famous possession was his shield. Attributed to the work of the craftsman Tychius, the shield of Ajax was made from seven layers of bull’s hide, with an eighth layer of bronze, making it impenetrable to mortal spears.

The shield was also enormous in size, and was of sufficient girth and height for Ajax and his half-brother Teucer to be protected, as Teucer shot his arrows from cover.