Idomeneus (knowing one) In Greek mythology, king of Crete, Leucus, son of Deucalion; brother of Crete; husband of Meda; father of Idamente. Idomeneus went to the Trojan War with 80 ships and achieved great fame as a warrior. On his way home a storm arose, and he vowed to Poseidon that he would sacrifice the first person he encountered on landing if the storm ceased. The sacrificial victim turned out to be his own son Idamante. Leucus, lover of Meda, banished Idomeneus to Italy for the murder. Mozart’s opera Idomeneo re di Creta, Ossia Ilia ed Adamante (1781) deals with part of the myth.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow-Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante