The Sophoklean Ajax and his Antecedents

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to throw light upon the hero of Sophokles' play Ajax, particularly with regard to his penultimate speech (lines 646-692). It investigates the main features of the pre-Sophoklean Ajax figure as it had developed in both literary and non-literary contexts, and considers the extent to which Sophokles modified and enhanced the tradition which he inherited. Aspects to be considered in particular include the influence on Sophokles of Homer and other pre-Sophoklean writers, the various religious traditions and Attic art. The main conclusion drawn is that while there is much that derives directly or indirectly from Homer and tradition in general, there is also much that seems to be original to Sophokles.