Final answer:
The lines reveal the contrast between Achilles' relaxed, superior demeanor and Ajax's tense stance, foreshadowing Achilles' ultimate heroism and Ajax's tragic end, as well as their fates symbolized by their dice rolls.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lines 1–7 in the excerpt about the amphora depicting Achilles and Ajax playing dice primarily reveal the characters' fates and their personalities. The relaxation of Achilles with his spears loosely held and heel on the ground suggests his superiority and a predestined victory, while Ajax shows signs of tension with his heel slightly raised indicating he is on edge, perhaps foreshadowing his eventual downfall. The rolls of the dice, with Achilles rolling a four and Ajax a three, not only convey their momentary engagement in a game, but also symbolize the ultimate fates of these Greek heroes in the Trojan War, linking to the broader theme of fate and destiny prevalent in Homer's epics.