OILEUS (mythical father of Ajax the Lesser)

Oileus served as a comrade and charioteer to Bienor, accompanying the group led by centaur/">Eurytion and Eribotes.^6,1 In that perilous journey, a feather from a bird of Ares struck him on the left shoulder, causing him to drop his oar from his hands.⁷ His companion Eribotes removed the feather and bound up the wound, allowing the brave warrior to continue his service.⁷

The son of Oileus departed from the citadel of Thronium, leading an equal contingent of ships from Locris.⁸ Ajax, the swift warrior, proved himself in battle by killing more enemies than any other combatant and wounding Satnius in the flank.^9,10 He also captured Cleobulus alive in the crush of battle, only to immediately kill him with a sword-blow to the neck.¹¹ In the footrace, Ajax took the lead while Odysseus followed closely, but he slipped on offal near the finish line due to Athena's interference, and his mouth and nostrils were filled with cow dung after slipping.¹² After the race, Ajax stood with his hand on an ox horn, while Idomeneus was scolded for rushing to speak while the mares were still far away.^12,13

The family dynamic was strained, as Medon, a bastard son born of Rhene, killed a kinsman of Oileus's wife Eriopis, who was described as his stepmother.^4,5 Ajax, identified as Medon's brother, was also noted for his ability to cure wounds, a trait that stood in contrast to the violent acts of his kin.^14,4,15

Oileus's fate was sealed when he sprang from his chariot to approach Agamemnon, who struck him on the forehead with a spear.¹ His bronze visor failed to stop the weapon, and he died in full fight after his brains were battered in.¹