Galaxy/The codex of Meda

In Greek mythology, Meda (Ancient Greek Μήδα) is wife of King Idomeneus of Crete. While he fights at Troy, Nauplius turns her false with Leucus; Leucus then kills Meda and her daughter Cleisithyra and seizes the kingdom. Distinct from Meda daughter of Phylas (mother of Antiochus by Heracles) and from other Mede/Iphthime name-variants.

Adapted from Wikipedia, "Meda (mythology)" · CC BY-SA 4.0

I.Queen of Crete

Meda rules as Idomeneus' consort while the king is absent at Troy. Apollodorus groups her with Clytemnestra and Aegialia among the wives Nauplius corrupts in revenge for the death of his son Palamedes — she takes Leucus as lover.

The betrayal is not the end: Leucus murders Meda and their daughter Cleisithyra (and in some lists sons such as Lycus and Iphiclus) and usurps Idomeneus' power, so the returning king finds his house already ruined.

II.Homonym care

Another Meda is daughter of Phylas and mother of Antiochus by Heracles. Mede is also used as an alternate name for Iphthime, Penelope's sister.

The atlas id meda-idomeneus is Idomeneus' Cretan queen alone — the Nauplius-betrayal node, not the Heraclid mother.

AT A GLANCE

Greek nameMēda (Μήδα)
Typemortal
Domainsqueen of Crete · the Nauplius betrayals
Cult centersCrete (Idomeneus' kingdom)
EtymologyAncient Greek Μήδα (Mḗda) or Μέδη / Μήδη.
READ MOREWikipedia