The name is pronounced here as British sailors and the film The Battle of the River Plate pronounced it, despite the ancient Greek lacking the English 'j' sound. Ajax the Great was a cousin of Achilles in the epic tradition and is remembered especially for recovering Achilles's body. That story still leaves the suitability of the mythological name for a cruiser open to criticism. Even so, pairing future ships named Ajax and Achilles with an Exeter at a major River Plate anniversary would carry clear historical symbolism. The discussion brings together sailors' usage, classical reference, and deliberate naval commemoration.
Notable Point · 56:09-59:16
Ajax, sailors' pronunciation, and River Plate commemoration
The Ajax discussion links ancient-Greek pronunciation and myth to sailors' usage and to the symbolic appeal of reusing River Plate names in a future fleet.