Idaea of Thrace


In Greek mythology, Idaea or Idaia was, by some accounts, the daughter of the Scythian king Dardanus, and the second wife of Phineus, the king of Thrace. Idaea's false accusations against her stepsons, were responsible for her husbands misfortunes. She was sent back to Scythia, where she was condemned to death. Other ancient sources give other names for Phineus's second wife, including: Eidothea, sister of Cadmus, and Eurytia.

Mythology

Idaea's husband was the blind seer Phineus, plagued by the Harpies, who was encountered by Jason and the Argonauts, when they landed in Thrace. By some accounts, it was Phineus' second wife Idaea who was the responsible for her husbands' blindness.
According to one tradition, Phineus' first wife was Cleopatra the daughter of Boreas, god of the North wind. Phineus had two sons by Cleopatra, who were falsely accused by Phineus' second wife Idaea, causing Phineus to blind, or imprison and torture, or kill his sons. In punishment for this crime against his sons, Phineus was himself blinded.