Idas

One of the sons of Aphareus and Arene; the husband of Marpessa and the father of Kleopatra (Cleopatra).

In his prime, Idas was known as the strongest man on the earth; he and his brother, Lynkeus (Lynceus) were both Argonauts; besides his great strength, Idas had a volatile temper which would often cause him to overreact to frustrating situations; he and Lynkeus were the cousins of Phoibe (Phoebe) and Hilaeira and were perhaps involved in the death of Kastor (Castor).

When Kastor and his twin brother, Polydeukes (Polydeuces or Pollux), tried to kidnap Phoibe and Hilaeira, a fight arose and Kastor was killed; it is unclear as to exactly how Kastor was killed or exactly who killed him but, owing to Idas’ explosive temper, it’s easy to imagine his direct involvement.

• Iliad, book 9, line 557
• Argonautika, book 1, lines 151, 462, 469, 485 and 1043, book 2, line 830, book 3, lines 516, 556, 1169 and 1252