Ajax, in Greek mythology, mighty warrior who fought in the

Trojan War. He was the son of Telamon, king of Salamis, and led

the Salaminian forces to Troy. A gigantic man, slow in speech but

quick in battle, Ajax was called "bulwark of the Achaeans" by

Homer. Angered because he was not awarded the armor of the

dead Achilles, Ajax determined to kill the Greek leaders

Agamemnon and Menelaus. The goddess Athena, to protect the

two, struck him with madness. Ajax committed suicide by falling

on his sword.