ABSTRACT
Sons of Aphareus, king of Messenia, and his wife Arene; though the father of Idas, the elder, was sometimes believed to be Poseidon. The two brothers were inseparable. Lynceus was gifted with such powerful vision that he could see clearly for great distances, and even through the ground. But Idas was not only the elder but the stronger of the two brothers. He was also notable for his insolence, a feature which eventually cost him his life. He married Marpessa, daughter of Evenus, whom Apollo also courted. In a chariotrace held by Evenus for the suitors of Marpessa, Idas, in a winged chariot lent him by Poseidon, proved the victor. Evenus, defeated in the race, pursued Idas as far as the River Lycormas, and then leapt into it; and thenceforward the river was named after him. Later Idas quarrelled with Apollo over Marpessa, and in his insolence came to blows with the god, who had carried her off and turned her into a kingfisher. Zeus parted the pair and asked the girl to choose; she chose Idas since, being mortal, he would grow old when she did.
