< Idas, son of Aphareus >

1 Origin

Idas was born in Andania, Messenia, in 1283 BC.

Idas' father was Aphareus, son of Perieres.

2 Family

Idas married Marpessa, daughter of Evenus, who lived in Pleuron, Aetolia.

Idas and Marpessa had a daughter, Cleopatra (or Halcyone).

3 Others

3.1 Emigration to Arene

In 1280 BC, Idas' father Aphareus founded Arene on the west coast of Messenia.

Idas migrated from Andania to Arene accompanied by Aphareus.

3.2 Emigration to Aetolia

In 1265 BC, Tyndareus, son of Oebalus of Sparta, visited Arene.

Idas was invited by Tyndareus to migrate to Aetolia.

Idas was the nephew of Tyndareus.

Idas married Marpessa, daughter of Evenus, who lived in Pleuron.

3.3 Emigration to Calydon

In 1247 BC, Cleopatra (or Halcyone), daughter of Idas, married Meleager, son of Oeneus, who lived in Calydon.

Idas moved from Pleuron to Calydon with Cleopatra.

3.4 Battle between Pleuron and Calydon

In 1246 BC, there was a battle between the Aetolians and Curetes. The fierce battle lasted for six days.

This battle became the story of the Calydonian boar hunt.

Idas sided with Calydon, and the two sons of Tyndareus, Castor and Polydeuces, fought for Pleuron.

Idas' wife, Marpessa, who was from Pleuron and played the role of mediator between Calydon and Pleuron, committed suicide.

Marpessa's suicide, which some traditions say was after the death of her husband Idas, may have had something to do with the cause of the fight.

3.5 Return to Messenia

In 1245 BC, Idas returned from Calydon to Arene in Messenia.

It is assumed that Idas's return was to succeed his father Aphareus.

3.6 Battle with Sparta

In 1237 BC, Tyndareus returned from Pleuron to Sparta.

Tyndareus attacked Andania in Messenia, which had been established as a colony of Sparta.

Andania was inherited by Aeolus' son Perieres after his death.

In the battle with Tyndareus, Leucippus died and his two daughters were taken to Sparta.

Leucippus was Idas' uncle, and the battle between the sons of Idas and Tyndareus began.

The battle between them moved from Aetolia to Messenia.

3.7 Abduction of Helen

In 1210 BC, Idas kidnapped Helen, daughter of Tyndareus, and gave her to Theseus, Athenian king.

Idas and Theseus were probably friends through Peirithous, son of Ixion.

Helen was brought back to Sparta by her half-brothers, the Dioscuri.

3.8 Death of Idas

In 1209 BC, Idas and Lynceus died fighting the sons of Tyndareus.

Idas is estimated to have been 74 years old when he died.