The Idean Cave is located on Mount Psiloritis, or Ida, in the Nida Plateau, which has preserved its ancient name through the centuries and is considered of equal value to the largest pan-Hellenic sanctuaries. References to the Idean Cave, and the myth of the birth and upbringing of Zeus in the cave, are made by many writers and literary sources from the 7th century BC to the 12th century AD, which made the Idean Cave a famous center of worship in ancient times.

The myth was brought into "history" mainly through the excavations conducted by archaeologists Yiannis and Efi Sakellarakis, whose valuable finds are presented in this volume. An impressive number of gold items were found, such as jewelry, vessels, and plaques. There were also bronze vessels, figurines, the unique drum, and the Sakellarakis shield. The multitude of these findings, which date back to the beginnings of Minoan civilization, testify to the continuous use of the site from the dawn of Cretan history to the present day.

However, Sakellarakis's relationship with Psiloritis did not stop there, as the proud mountain revealed one of its secrets - Zominthos. There, he created an archaeological forest, the Sakellarakis forest, aimed at preserving the landscape as it was when Minoan peace prevailed. The dominant species are the three-seeded hawthorns, the ancient sacred tree of Zominthos.

Psiloritis, Idean Cave, Zominthos, everything led Yiannis Sakellarakis, the mythical archaeologist of Psiloritis, to the center of modern Cretan culture - Anogeia, which maintains its cultural tradition and the dynamism of the Cretans of Psiloritis. He loved the Anogeians and their clear outlook - and they loved him. He valued them and they valued him, as he was declared an honorary citizen of Anogeia, the municipality with which he bonded so deeply with its people.

There was a previous album for Knossos in 2008, and now the volume for the Idean Cave, which, unfortunately, before its publication, the unexpected death occurred, spreading sorrow among us all. However, as I had promised him, the publication was completed with the invaluable contribution of his life partner, in excavations and ideas, Efi Sapouna-Sakellarakis, who is now called to have courage, to show strength and to continue their joint work, as she always did.