Plate119: The Death of Ajax (Aiax moretm Sibi consciscens, in florem abit), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' 1606

"Plate 119: The Death of Ajax (Aiax moretm Sibi consciscens, in florem abit)" is a 1606 engraving by Italian artist Antonio Tempesta, depicting the Greek hero Ajax taking his own life after losing a contest for Achilles' armor. The etching is one of a series illustrating Ovid's Metamorphoses, showcasing Tempesta's skilled use of line and detail in a dynamic composition, conveying Ajax's despair as he plunges his sword into the earth. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York holds this piece, a testament to the enduring legacy of classical mythology and Renaissance art.