The Trojan War was the legendary conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans. However, it did not just involve Greeks from the mainland. A large part of the Grecian army came from some Greek islands in the Aegean, such as the prominent island of Crete. The king of Crete who led his people in the Trojan War was named King Idomeneus. What do we know about him?
Who was King Idomeneus of Crete?
King Idomeneus ruled Crete at the time of the Trojan War. He was the son and heir of Deucalion. This was not the Deucalion who famously survived the Flood of Greek mythology. Rather, this Deucalion was the eldest son of the famous King Minos.
It is interesting to note that King Minos was ruling Crete during the time of Theseus. Minos served as the antagonist in the legend of Theseus and the Labyrinth. Meanwhile, Theseus’ son, Demophon, was the king of Athens at the time of the Trojan War.
Since the Trojan War occurred during the reign of Theseus’ son, and Idomeneus was the grandson of Theseus’ enemy, King Minos, this suggests that Idomeneus may have been relatively young when the Trojan War took place.
However, it is also important to note that Theseus slayed Idomeneus’ father, Deucalion, during his escape from Crete. Therefore, Idomeneus must have been born during Minos’ reign.
King Idomeneus in the Trojan War
Idomeneus was one of the main commanders of the Greek army during the Trojan War. He also served as one of the advisors to Agamemnon, the overall leader of the Greeks. Idomeneus led his army of Cretan soldiers into battle against the Trojans, not delegating this responsibility to a lesser commander. In the Iliad, Homer demonstrates that Idomeneus is an important leader in the fight against the Greeks’ enemies.
Idomeneus played a vital role during a critical moment when many Greek leaders were wounded by preventing the Trojan advance. He strategically engaged Hector, the formidable Trojan prince, effectively thwarting his assault.
Finally, Idomeneus was among the soldiers hiding inside the Trojan Horse, indicating he was one of the most trusted and important members of the entire Greek army. Throughout the Trojan War, Idomeneus is consistently shown to play an important and meaningful role.
What happened to Idomeneus after the Trojan War?
The story of King Idomeneus of Crete does not end with the Trojan War. While the Iliad does not reveal his fate, later sources discuss this. One writer who explored the fate of Idomeneus was the Roman writer Marcus Terrentius Varro.
Varro wrote that Idomeneus settled in Salento, southern Italy, after initially stopping in Illyria. Considering the numerous legends about commanders from the Trojan War being driven off course and compelled to live far from their homes, this legend about Idomeneus can likely be understood within the same context.
Indeed, Servius the Grammarian wrote about a similar legend involving Idomeneus. In his commentary on Virgil’s Aeneid, he wrote about how after arriving back in Crete, Idomeneus sacrificed his son, since he had promised Poseidon to sacrifice the first living thing he saw in exchange for safe passage home.
As a result, the gods were so horrified that they sent a plague to Crete as punishment. His men subsequently banished him from the island.
Another version, recorded by Apollodorus, explains that his foster son Leucus usurped the throne, driving Idomeneus out of Crete.
Whichever version of the legend we consider, Idomeneus’ story ends in tragedy, with him being banished from his home territory.
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