Work of | Sofocle
Director | Luca Micheletti
Translator | Walter Lapini

The goddess Athena takes revenge on the valiant Ajax, who had superbly refused divine aid in battle, and clouds his mind. Ajax boasts that he has slaughtered the Athrids while slaughtering cattle; Odysseus feels pity for him and Athena mocks him. Soon the hero comes to his senses and realises the reality and the ridicule. Neither his sailors from Salamis, nor his concubine Tecmessa, nor the embrace of his young son deter him from committing suicide, which he accomplishes by walking away and deceiving everyone. The last part of the tragedy is an argument between the Atrides, who deny Ajax an honourable burial, and Ulysses with Teucer, who demands it and prevails. (440 a. Ch)