Ajax

Antisthenes. Antiphontis orationes et fragmenta adiunctis Gorgiae, Antisthenis, Alcidamantis declamationibus. Blass, Friedrich, editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1908.

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This work is a rhetorical oration in which the Trojan War hero Ajax argues before Greek judges for the ownership of the armor of the deceased Achilles. Ajax fiercely criticizes his rival, Odysseus, accusing him of cowardice and deceitful actions, such as nighttime infiltration and stealing from temples under disguise. In contrast, Ajax emphasizes his own straightforward courage and honorable achievements on the battlefield. He urges the judges not to be swayed by mere eloquence, but to make a just decision based on tangible deeds rather than clever words. The speech vividly portrays the pride of a silent man of action and his deep distrust of those who use words as weapons.