Ajax the Great vs Gaius Terentius Varro

When Hector broke through the Greek wall and attacked the ships, Ajax the Great led the defense. He single-handedly held off the Trojan assault, throwing a massive stone that stunned Hector and forcing the Trojans to retreat.

Ajax was chosen by lot to duel Hector in single combat. They fought fiercely, with Ajax striking Hector's shield and drawing blood, but the duel ended in a draw at nightfall. They exchanged gifts afterward.

After Achilles' death, his divine armor was awarded to Odysseus instead of Ajax. Ajax felt this was unjust and that he deserved the armor as the greatest Greek warrior after Achilles.

Enraged and dishonored by losing Achilles' armor, Ajax went mad and slaughtered a flock of sheep, believing they were his enemies. When he regained his senses, he fell on his own sword in shame.

Varro, as consul, commanded the Roman army against Hannibal at Cannae. The Romans suffered a catastrophic defeat with tens of thousands killed. Varro survived and fled the battlefield, but was not punished by the Senate.

After Cannae, Varro was given command of the legions in Picenum and later in Gaul. He served honorably, raising new troops and defending Roman territories against Carthaginian incursions.

Varro served as proconsul in Etruria, where he conducted military operations against Hannibal's forces. He successfully prevented Carthaginian raids and maintained Roman control over the region.