Mount Ida

In Greek mythology, two sacred mountains are called Mount Ida, the "Mountain of the Goddess": Mount Ida in Crete, and Mount Ida in Turkey, which known as Phrygian Ida in Classical times. Both are associated with the mother goddess in the deepest layers of pre-Greek myth, in that Mount Ida in Phrygia was sacred to Cybele, who is sometimes called Mater Idaea ("Idaean Mother"),^[1] and Rhea put the infant Zeus to nurse with Amaltheia at Mount Ida in Crete. Consequently, Cretan Ida was also sacred to Zeus the king and father of Greek gods and goddesses.^[2]

Etymology

The name Ida is of unknown pre-Greek origin.

Mount Ida, Crete

Mouth of Idian Cave, Crete

Crete's Mount Ida is the island's highest summit, sacred to the Goddess Rhea, and in which lies the legendary cave in which Zeus was reared. On the flank of this mountain is the Amari Valley, the site of expansion by the ancient settlement at Phaistos.^[3]. Modern name Psiloritis.

Mount Ida, Turkey

From Turkey's Mount Ida, Zeus was said to have abducted Ganymede to Olympus. The topmost peak is Gargarus, mentioned in the Iliad. Zeus is located in The Altar of Zeus where is near Adatepe-Ayvacık at Trojan War. The modern Turkish name for Mount Ida, Turkey, is Kaz Dağı, pronounced [kɑz dɑːɯ]).

Notes

External links

• Perseus Website: Ida