IDOMENEUS (king of Crete)
Figure of myth · Greek mythical character, King of Crete
- Parents
- Deucalion of Crete, Cleopatra
- Consorts
- Meda
- Children
- Iphiclus, Chalciope, Cleisithyra, Idamante
- Allies
- Meriones
- Haunts and cult places
- Crete
- In the sources
- 65 ancient passages
His hair was already flecked with grey, marking him as a man of experience rather than youth, yet he moved onto the battlefield like a flame of fire.1,2,3 Clad in richly wrought armor that shone brightly around him, he resembled a lightning bolt as he led his squire into combat.4,3 Though Ajax claimed his eyesight was not particularly sharp, Idomeneus possessed keen sight and hearing, able to observe distant horses and hear shouts from afar.2,5
The accounts differ on the size of this fleet, with some sources listing eighty ships and others citing forty.6,7 Before departing, he entrusted his kingdom to Leucus, ensuring the stability of his realm during his absence.8 He was accompanied by his squire and co-leader, Meriones, who served him loyally throughout the campaign.9,4,10,11 Together, they stood among the Cretan troops, with Idomeneus often positioned in the most commanding part of the ground to observe the action.12,13,5
On the battlefield, Idomeneus proved a deadly warrior, killing Asius by piercing his throat with a spear.14,15 He also struck down Alcathous, the husband of Aeneas's sister, by hitting him in the chest.16,17 In another engagement, he speared Phaesus on the right shoulder as the man mounted his chariot, and later killed Phaestus, an artificer.18,19 His prowess was such that he boasted of killing three men compared to Deiphobus's one, while Deiphobus threw a spear at him in revenge for Asius, which Idomeneus dodged by crouching behind his shield.16,20 He also drove a spear through the mouth of Erymas and struck Hector on the chest, breaking the spear upon impact.21,22
Despite the chaos of war, Idomeneus maintained a steady presence, sometimes staying behind to comfort the grieving hero Achilles.23 He was involved in a verbal dispute with Ajax son of Oileus, during which he was ordered to stop railing and sit down.24 When Aeneas pursued him, Idomeneus refused to retreat, fearing defeat by the younger warrior but remaining dauntless.25 At banquets, he received goblets filled with unmixed and unmeasured wine, a mark of his high status.26
After the Trojan War ended, Idomeneus arrived safely on the island of Crete with his surviving companions.27,28,29 His return was so powerful that his enemies could not take ten cities, securing his legacy as a formidable ruler.29 He had previously won the boxing contest without a challenger, demonstrating his cunning in all athlete-lore.30 Thetis had given him a chariot and swift horses as a prize, which he had captured from Troy during Patroclus's victory.30 In the afterlife, however, Idomeneus appears as shapeless, meaningless dust, a stark contrast to his former glory.31
The codex facts behind this entry
Idomeneus was the king and commander of the Cretan forces. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.13 +6 Idomeneus is the son of Deucalion and a descendant of Minos. Iliad 12 ¶6 +4
Appearance
He wore richly wrought armor that shone brightly around him as he ran, resembling a lightning bolt, while leading his squire into battle. Iliad 13 ¶19 +1
In the myths
Idomeneus killed Asius, son of Hyrtacus, by piercing his throat with a spear. Iliad 12 ¶6 +1 Idomeneus killed Alcathous, the husband of Aeneas's sister, by striking him in the chest with a spear. Iliad 13 ¶33 +1 Idomeneus sailed from Crete to participate in the war at Troy. Lycophron, Alexandra ¶52 +1 Idomeneus arrived safely on the island of Crete after the Trojan War ended. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.10 +1
