Ajax

Ajax, also known as Aias, was one of the most renowned Greek heroes in the Trojan War. He was the son of Telamon, the king of Salamis, and a close friend of Hercules. Before Ajax was born, Hercules prayed to Zeus, asking for Telamon to be granted a son who would be brave. Ajax was named after an eagle (aietos) that Telamon had seen prior to his birth.

In Homer's Iliad, only Achilles was considered a greater warrior than Ajax. Towering in size and strength, Ajax was said to resemble a towering figure when he took the battlefield, wielding his shield. Courageous and noble-hearted, he was slow to speak and often let others do the talking while he focused on fighting.

Ajax once competed with other Greek warriors for the hand of Helen, one of the era's most beautiful women. Helen eventually chose Menelaus, the king of Sparta, but Ajax and the other suitors vowed to defend her marriage.