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Iodame

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Greek mythology, Iodame or Iodama (/ˈɒdəm/; Ancient Greek: Ἰοδάμη or Ἰοδάμα probably means 'heifer calf of Io'[1]) was a Thessalian princess as the daughter of King Itonus of Iton in Phthiotis. She was the granddaughter of Amphictyon.[2]

Family

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Iodame was the mother of Thebe by Zeus[2] while some authors, adds a son, Deucalion.[3]

Mythology

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Iodame was a priestess at the temple of Athena Itonia built by her father. When she trespassed the precinct one night, Athena appeared in front of her; at the sight of Medusa's head which was worked in the goddess' garment, Iodame turned into a block of stone. After this, a priestess lit the fire on the altar every day, repeating thrice: "Iodame lives and demands fire".[4]

An alternate story of Athene and Iodama relates that both were daughters of Itonius. They became jealous of each other and started fighting, which resulted in Iodame being killed by Athena.[5] The story is similar to that of Athena and Pallas (daughter of Triton).

Notes

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  1. ^ Graves, p. 47.
  2. ^ a b Tzetzes on Lycophron, 1206 (Gk text) with the historian Lycus as the authority
  3. ^ Murray, John (1833). A Classical Manual, being a Mythological, Historical and Geographical Commentary on Pope's Homer, and Dryden's Aeneid of Virgil with a Copious Index. Albemarle Street, London. p. 8.
  4. ^ Pausanias, 9.34.1–2; Graves, p. 45
  5. ^ Tzetzes ad Lycophron, 355 (Gk text) with Simonides the genealogist as the authority; Etymologicum Magnum 479.47, under Itonis

References

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