Cult and Poetry: A Study of Ajax in Hero Cult, Pindar, and Sophocles

Abstract

This study has primarily been an exploration of the relationship between the presentation of Ajax in Greek poetry and his status as a cult hero. We have seen how epic poetry preserved the memory and heightened the glory of epic heroes, many of whom were also worshipped in cult. However, the interface between poetry and cult did not come to a close at the beginning of the historical period. The cults of Ajax influenced his presentation and characterization in other areas of Greek culture. In two different genres of fifth-century poetry, the epinician ode and Athenian civic tragedy, Ajax's hero cult status was important for his poetic depiction and assessment. Pindar, the encomiastic poet, finds cause to praise Ajax and to quell the strength of any poetry dishonoring him, correcting blameworthy stories that had been preserved in the poetic tradition. Sophocles, a tragedian, explores how the polis should respond to heroic figures like Ajax. In contrast with Pindar, Sophocles does not minimize disgraceful aspects of Ajax's story, but -- like Pindar -- he absolutely acknowledges Ajax's praiseworthiness. His play reveals that it is the city's hero cult rituals that offer heroes, even uncivilized ones, the honor they necessarily deserve, and that it is beneficial and satisfying to celebrate them. For both Pindar and Sophocles, cult helps to determine and locate the praiseworthy aspects of a hero, and the significance of a hero's cultic status is used to reinterpret prior poetic traditions. [From Conclusion]