Galaxy/The codex of Idaios

In Homer's Iliad, Idaeus (Idaios) is the wise-hearted herald of Troy who serves Priam: he bears the golden cups at the oaths before Paris and Menelaus duel, holds the staves between Hector and Ajax, and drives Priam's mule-wagon to Achilles' hut to ransom Hector's body. Distinct from Priam's son Idaeus and other Idaios figures in myth.

Adapted from Wikipedia, "Idaeus" · CC BY-SA 4.0

I.Herald of Priam

When Hector proposes that Paris and Menelaus settle the war by single combat, Idaeus carries a shining bowl and golden cups and summons Priam to seal the oaths. Later he intervenes with Talthybius when Hector's duel with Ajax runs long, and both heralds part the champions.

In Iliad 24 he yokes the mules for Priam's ransom journey, drives the wagon laden with treasure, and waits outside Achilles' hut while the old king clasps the killer of his son. Hermes guides the mission; Idaeus tends the practical work of the embassy.

II.Homonyms

Other mythic bearers include a son of Priam, a son of Dares the priest, a Corybant, and epithets of Zeus or Heracles "Idaean." Homer's herald is the figure the atlas node follows.

The id idaios-trojan keeps Priam's herald separate from those lesser or differently parented Idaios names.

AT A GLANCE

Greek nameIdaios (Ἰδαῖος)
Typemortal
DomainsTrojan herald · Priam's charioteer · herald of the truce
EtymologyAncient Greek Ἰδαῖος (Idaîos), "of Ida" — linked to Mount Ida above Troy.
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