In Greek mythology, Idomeneus ( /aɪˈdɒmɨniːəs/; Greek: Ἰδομενεύς, Idomeneus, "strength of Ida") was a Cretan warrior, father of Orsilochus, Cleisithyra, Leucus and Iphiclus, son of Deucalion and Cleopatra, grandson of Minos and king of Crete. He led the Cretan armies to the Trojan War and was also one of Helen's suitors. Meriones was his charioteer and brother-in-arms. In Homer's Iliad, he is found among the first rank of the Greek generals, leading his troops and engaging the enemy head-on, and escaping serious injury. Idomeneus was one of Agamemnon's trusted advisors. He was one of the primary defenders when most of the other Achaean heroes were injured, and even fought Hector briefly and repulsed his attack. Like most of the other leaders of the Greeks, he is alive and well as the story comes to a close. He was one of the Achaeans to enter the Trojan Horse. Idomeneus killed thirteen men and at least one Amazon woman, Bremusa at Troy.
According to the fourth century Italian writer Maurus Servius Honoratus, and the French 17th century writer François Fénelon, the story continues as follows: after the war, Idomeneus's ship hit a terrible storm. He promised Poseidon that he would sacrifice the first living thing he saw when he returned home if Poseidon would save his ship and crew. The first living thing was his son, whom Idomeneus duly sacrificed. The gods were angry at his murder of his own son and they sent a plague to Crete. The Cretans sent him into exile in Calabria, Italy and then Colophon in Asia Minor where he died. According to Marcus Terrentius Varro, the gens Salentini descended from Idomeneus, who had sailed from Crete to Illyria, and then together with Illyrians and Locrians from Illyria to Salento, see Grecìa Salentina.
Alternatively, Idomeneus was driven out of Crete by Leucus, who had seduced and then killed Idomeneus' wife Meda and usurped the throne of Crete.
According to the hypothetical reading of Achterberg et al. (2004), Idomeneus may be mentioned on the Phaistos Disk (spelled i-du-ma-na, word B.IX) as the governor of Mesara.
Idomeneo, a 1781 opera seria by Mozart, is based on the story of Idomeneus's return to Crete. In this version, Poseidon (Neptune in the opera) spares Idomeneo's son Idamante, on condition that Idomeneo relinquish his throne to the new generation.
Other articles related to "idomeneus":
... The Idomeneus Giant Owl (Caligo idomeneus) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family ... The butterfly is named for Idomeneus, the leader of the Cretan army during the Trojan War ... idomeneus, dorsal, MHNT C ...
200 BC) who adapted the story from Idomeneus of Lampsacus (c ... Idomeneus was writing around that time ... The evidence suggests that Idomeneus invented the more salacious version of the story, possibly in his desire to parody and ridicule the courtroom displays of Athenian ...
... According to Homer, Idomeneus reached his house safe and sound ... After the war, Idomeneus's ship hit a horrible storm ... Idomeneus promised Poseidon that he would sacrifice the first living thing he saw when he returned home if Poseidon would save his ship and crew ...
... He met Idomeneus there “ "Meriones, fleet son of Molus, best of comrades, why have you left the field? Are you wounded, and is the point of the weapon hurting you ... my enemy at arm's length therefore I have spears, bossed shields, helmets, and burnished corslets." Idomeneus answered, "I know you for a brave man you need not tell me ... the tent at once." ” Meriones grabbed a bronze spear and followed Idomeneus “ On this Meriones, peer of Mars, went to the tent and got himself a spear of bronze ...