E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ajax,
the Greater. King of Sal’amis, a man of giant stature, daring, and self-confident. Generally called Tel’amon Ajax, because he was the son of Tel’amon. When the armour of Hector was awarded to Ulysses instead of to himself, he turned mad from vexation and stabbed himself.—Homer’s Iliad, and later poets.
