MOUNT IDA (mountain in Crete)
Highest mountain on Crete
Ida is identified as the highest mountain on the island of Crete. Strabo 10.4.4 The mountain is described as shady and covered with oaks inhabited by nymphs. Tryphiodorus, The Taking of Ilios ¶14 Zeus played as a child near this hill in Crete. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶1 (6)
Described in the sources
A mountain named Ida exists in Crete. Aeneid 3.84 +2 Alexandrus was led to this mountain by Hermes to judge a dispute among goddesses. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.2 +2 Apollo departed from the high peaks of this mountain to join the battle as a mighty helper to defend the listener. Iliad 15 ¶19 +2 Zeus observed the battlefield from this mountain. Iliad 11 ¶27 +1 Zeus thundered from this mountain during the battle. Iliad 8 ¶17 +1 The woodcutters reached the heights of this mountain to gather timber. Apollodorus, Epitome 5.14 +1 The mountain is associated with the nymphs, who had nursed Paris as a child and wailed around his body on the mountain. Euripides, Helen 1319-1337 +1 The separate extremities of the mountain are considered sacred to the mother of the gods, where religious orgies honoring her are celebrated. Strabo 10.3.22 +1 Ida receives the god's first rays. Euripides, The Trojan Women 1060-1070 Ida features a snow-beaten glen and hills. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 1276-1312
Gods and worship
Lions were yoked to draw the royal chariot in Ida's grove. Aeneid 3.84 People from this mountain raised hands to pray to the gods. Quintus 11 ¶19 The son of Saturn looks down over all of Troy from this peak. Iliad 24 ¶20 The mountain's name is used as an epithet for the goddess Rhea. Strabo 10.3.12 The mountain receives the deity's welcome honors through a temple. Statius, Thebaid 1.257-279 ¶1 Brazen Corybantic cymbals clanged in the grove of Ida during sacred rites. Aeneid 3.84
Stories and history
Goddesses gathered flowers on Ida for their own use. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 1276-1312 A statue of Ida was mounted on the prow of Aeneas's ship. Aeneid 10.146 Tall branching oaks grew on the mountain and were felled. Iliad 23 ¶11 The mother crossed the snow-capped heights of the mountain. Euripides, Helen 1319-1337 Inhabitants of this mountain trembled while watching the conflict. Quintus 11 ¶19 Hermes was sent to the mountain to keep watch over the boy Ganymede. Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 19 ¶6 People often confuse Ida with Olympus, treating them as one mountain. Strabo 10.3.14 The image of Ida served as a cherished symbol for the exiled Trojans. Aeneid 10.146 Achilles attacked cattle belonging to Aeneas while near this location. Iliad 20 ¶10 The father of all gods slept peacefully on the summit of this mountain. Iliad 14 ¶30