Palace of the Greek Hero, Ajax

Do you believe in anything from the Iliad? Heinrich Schliemann, of course, believed that he could find Troy. He did. But what else can we believe from the epic tale woven by Homer?

Archaeologists have now unearthed the remains of a fantastic 3200 year old palace on the island of Salamis, off the coast of Greece, not far from Athens.

Ajax was the second greatest hero of the Trojan war behind Achilles. He brought his men from the kingdom of Salamis to fight in the contest to return the legendary beauty, Helen.

But most of what we know of Ajax has been the subject of epic, tragedy and legend.

Now we have some physical evidence to which we can attach a reality to this tremendous hero.

But more than helping us to place this hero in a historical context, the find adds to our understanding of the ancient world in the period after the Trojan war and before historical times.

And beyond the Greek world, the site has yielded a copper mail shirt referencing Ramses II. This find contributes to our understanding of the extent of trade and interaction among the peoples of the ancient Mediterranean.

Regardless of the debate that will ensue, I will visit this site next time I am in Greece and thrill at the thought that we have found the palace of a great hero.

Tom
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