# Idomeneus — The Iliad character guide

> Idomeneus in The Iliad by Homer.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** brave Idomeneus, stout Idomeneus, great Idomeneus

**First appearance:** 0001-the-iliad

## Snapshot

Cretan king and veteran Greek commander, whose spear and steady presence hold the line when the Trojan onslaught breaks the Achaian ranks.

## Who they are

Idomeneus leads the Cretan contingent and belongs to the older generation of Greek chieftains, men whose authority rests on long service rather than youthful fury. When Zeus's thunder terrifies the army and even Agamemnon and the Ajaxes give ground, Idomeneus is named among those who must choose between standing and fleeing. He matters as ballast: a commander whose courage is measured, professional, and essential to the Greek camp's survival through the war's darkest middle books.

## Relationships

### [Hector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hector)

_rivalry_

Hector and Idomeneus are opposing warriors who clash frequently in combat.

### [Hector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hector)

_rivalry_

Hector and Idomeneus are opposing warriors who clash frequently in combat.

## In the story

### [Book II: The Trial of the Army, and Catalogue of the Forces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-ii-the-trial-of-the-army-and-catalogue-of-the-forces)

Among the elder princes summoned to the sacrifice.

### [Book XIII: The Continuation of the Fourth Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xiii-the-continuation-of-the-fourth-battle)

Kills Orthryoneus, Asius, and Alcathoüs in a series of bold exploits, boasting of his Cretan lineage.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/idomeneus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters