such aids; and scorned to owe his victory to aught but his own prowess.
Accordingly, we are told that when he was setting out for Troy, his
father recommended him always to join the assistance of the gods to his
own valor; to which Ajax replied, that cowards themselves were often
victorious by such helps, but for his own part he would make no reliance
of the kind, being assured he should be able to conquer without.

It is further added, upon the head of his irreligion, that to Minerva,
who once offered him her advice, he replied with indignation: "Trouble
not yourself about my conduct; of that I shall give a good account; you
have nothing to do but reserve your favor and assistance for the other
Greeks." Another time she offered to guide his chariot in the battle,
but he would not suffer her. Nay, he even defaced the owl, her favorite
bird, which was engraven on his shield, lest that figure should be
considered as an act of reverence to Minerva, and hence as indicating
distrust in himself.

Homer, however, does not represent him in this light, for though he does
not pray to Jupiter himself when he prepares to engage the valiant
Hector, yet he desires others to pray for him, either in a low voice,
lest the Trojans should hear, or louder if they pleased; for, says he, I
fear no person in the world.

The poets give to Ajax the same commendation that the holy scripture
gives to king Saul, with regard to his stature. He has been the subject
of several tragedies, as well in Greek as Latin; and it is related that
the famous comedian, AEsop, refused to act that part. The Greeks paid
great honor to him after his death, and erected to him a noble monument
upon the promontory of Rhoeteum, which was one of those Alexander
desired to see and honor.

JASON was son of AEson, king of Thessaly, and Alcim{)e}de. He was an
infant when Pelias, his uncle, who was left his guardian, sought to
destroy him; but being, to avoid the danger, conveyed by his relations
to a cave, he was there instructed by Chiron in the art of physic;
whence he took the name of Jason, or the healer, his former name being
Diom{=e}des. Arriving at years of maturity, he returned to his uncle,
who, probably with no favorable intention to Jason, inspired him with
the notion of the Colchian expedition and agreeably flattered his
ambition with the hopes of acquiring the golden fleece.

Jason having resolved on the voyage, built a vessel at Iolchos in
Thessaly, for th