[8] In Homer's Iliad, Idomeneus is found among the first rank of the Greek generals, leading his troops and engaging the enemy head-on, and escaping serious injury.

He was one of the primary defenders when most of the other Achaean heroes were injured, and even fought Hector briefly and repulsed his attack.

Idomeneus killed twenty men and at least three Amazon women, including Bremusa,[10] at Troy.

[11] A later tradition, preserved by Servius the Grammarian in a commentary on Virgil's Aeneid,[12] continues the story as follows: after the war, Idomeneus's ship hit a terrible storm.

The Cretans sent him into exile in Calabria (ancient name of the Salento in Apulia), Italy[13] and then Colophon in Asia Minor where he died.