In Greek mythology who defied the Gods?

It depends on what your definition of "defied." is. The Titan goddess Rhea defied her husband, Cronos, by not feeding him baby Zeus. You already know about Prometheus who stood up to Zeus and got chained to a rock for his troubles. Pandora defied the gods by allowing her curiosity to get the better of her and opening the box the gods had forbid her to open. Arachne could be said to have defied Athena by claiming to be a better weaver than her and insulting her during a contest. Dionysus' grandmother defied Hera by saving his life after Hera ordered him killed. Psyche defied Cupid by looking at his sleeping form after being told not to. Tantalus defied the gods by serving them his son for dinner, which led to a curse on his house.

Ajax, a hero of the Trojan war, did not really defy the gods. After Achilles death, his armor was to be given to either Ajax and Odysseus. A secret vote was taken and Odysseus was chosen. Ajax was dishonored and angry, believing that some had turned the vote against him. He decided to murder them, but as he was on his way, Athena struck him with madness. He ended up killing a bunch of animals. When he awoke from his madness, he was so distraught he killed himself. Athena's cursing him with madness was probably to protect Odysseus and not because Ajax had defied the gods in any way.

There was another Ajax (Ajax the lesser) who during the Trojan War dragged the prophetess Cassandra out of Athena's temple where she was clinging to the goddess' statue. This made Athena mad (as what he did was sacrilegious) and she asked Poseidon to give the Greeks a bitter homecoming and stir up the sea against them.

Hope this helps! You should check out your local library where you can find more in-depth books about Greek mythology.

- Joanna, a future librarian

Joanna,

Wow thanks, I've studied Mythology only a little but all I really only remember is Odysseus, Sisyphus, and Egyptian mythology. I asked because I'm writing a poem where I wanted to allude to some hero (but Odysseus didn't quite work and I didn't want Prometheus much either). You helped out a ton I don't think I've ever gotten as good an answer as this on this site. Thank you so much. I was thinking of Ajax the Greater but Ajax the Lesser I want to look more into, I think he'll suit my poem pretty well.

By the way, I'm an English (writing) major, I'm looking around to volunteer but I would like to volunteer to my local library. Good luck in your librarian pursuit.