In the Trojan War tradition, which Greek warrior carried the famous shield of Ajax?

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In the Trojan War tradition, Ajax the Greater carried the famous shield associated with him.

Ajax the Greater, also called Ajax son of Telamon, was one of the strongest Greek warriors at Troy. His enormous shield was made from layers of ox hide reinforced with bronze. In Homer’s Iliad, Ajax uses it as protection for himself and the soldiers near him, and it becomes a visual symbol of his defensive strength.

Ajax was especially important during the fighting around the Greek ships. He fought Hector in a formal duel that ended without a decisive winner, and he repeatedly protected the Greek position when Troy’s forces pressed forward.

Ajax the Greater is easily confused with Ajax the Lesser, who was a different Greek commander from Locri. The two warriors are distinguished by their fathers: the famous shield-bearer was the son of Telamon, while Ajax the Lesser was the son of Oileus.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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