# Ajax — Discourses character guide

> Ajax in Discourses by Epictetus.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Ajax 281

**First appearance:** 0004-i-of-the-things-which-are-in-our-power-and-not-in-our-power

## Who they are

Greek hero, used to discuss madness and honor.

## In the story

### [IX: That When We Cannot Fulfil That Which the Character of a Man Promises, We Assume the Character of a Philosopher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/ix-that-when-we-cannot-fulfil-that-which-the-character-of-a-man-promises-we-assume-the-character-of-a-philosopher)

Referenced in the simile of lifting a stone that Ajax lifted, illustrating the impossible burden of pretending to be a philosopher.

### [To (Or Against) a Person Who Was One of Those Who Were Not Valued (Esteemed) by Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxiv-to-or-against-a-person-who-was-one-of-those-who-were-not-valued-esteemed-by-him)

Mentioned as a strong warrior, compared to the listener's claim of strength.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/ajax
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters