Character Archive

Myths featuring Idas

Explore myths where Idas appears across cultures, conflicts, sacred places, and recurring themes.

2 myths currently featured for Idas.

Idas and Marpessa’s Choice Against Apollo

🏛️ Greek MythologyAncient MesseneIdas • Marpessa • Apollo

Idas, a prince of Messene, wins the hand of Marpessa through a daring chariot race using Poseidon's gift. When the god Apollo attempts to steal her away, Zeus intervenes and allows Marpessa to choose her husband, leading to her historic rejection of divinity in favor of mortal love.

King Midas’ Golden Touch and the Curse of the Donkey Ears

🏛️ Greek MythologyRiver Pactolus, Ancient Sardis, TurkeyMidas • Dionysus • Silenus

King Midas of Phrygia is granted a wish by Dionysus and chooses that everything he touches turn to gold, only to find it a deadly curse when he cannot eat or drink. After being cured by the River Pactolus, he later offends the god Apollo by favoring Pan's rustic music, resulting in his ears being transformed into those of a donkey.