IDA, in ancient geography, a mountain, or rather a mountain range of Asia Minor, an offshoot of the great Taurus range. It intersects the whole of Mysia, and some of its peaks attain a very considerable elevation. Gargarus, the highest, is about 4700 feet above the level of the sea; while Cotylus, the next in height, is about 3500. The other peaks, Dicte and Pytna, are considerably lower. A spur of the principal Idian range, enclosing Troy in a kind of semicircle, formed the Troas. The whole range is described by the ancients as covered with woods which harboured great numbers of wild beasts; and as giving birth to a large number of small but famous streams, such as the Esequus, Granicus, Simois, Scamander, and Caresus.
There was another mountain of this same name in Crete. It was the highest peak of the range that traverses the whole island, and is now called Psiloriti. It is with the Cretan Ida that the legends of the early life of Jupiter are associated; and the Dactyli Idæi, the earliest workers in metals, are sometimes referred to this Ida, and sometimes to its Mysian namesake. See DACTYLI IDÆI.