They swarmed around him and with shouts of blame
From each side one and all assaulted him,
As brother to the man who had gone mad
And plotted ’gainst the host—threatening aloud
Spite of his strength he should be stoned and die.
But they did not slay Teucer, despite their threats, and this fact suggests that βούλευσις (equated with murder) rather than treason was the crime which they imputed to Ajax: for the penalty for murder was rarely collective. In the following dialogue between Teucer and Menelaus, Ajax is called a murderer[104]:
Men.: Just, that my murderer have a peaceful end?
Teu.: Thy murderer? Strange to have been slain and live!
Men.: Yea, through Heaven’s mercy. By his will, I am dead.