Io

Also known as Phoronis, Io and Zeus

nymph seduced by Zeus in Greek mythology

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Io was a figure from Greek mythology whom Zeus pursued and seduced, transforming her into a heifer to hide her from his jealous wife Hera. Her story has been retold throughout Western literature and art as a cautionary tale about divine power and human vulnerability.

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Image: Hermes Io Staatliche Antikensammlungen 585.jpg

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Commons category: Io (mythology)
name in native language: Ἰώ
Commons gallery: Io (mythology)

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Article

In Greek mythology, Io (/ˈaɪ.oʊ/; Ancient Greek: Ἰώ [iːɔ̌ː]) was one of the mortal lovers of Zeus. An Argive princess, her descendants included Perseus, Cadmus, Heracles, Minos, Lynceus, Cepheus, Dionysus, and Danaus. The astronomer Simon Marius named a moon of Jupiter after Io in 1614. The Ionian Islands are also named after Io (not to be confused with the ancient region of Ionia which was named after Ion).

Because her brother was Phoroneus, Io is also known as Phoronis (an adjective form of Phoroneus: "Phoronean"). She was sometimes compared to the Egyptian goddess Isis, whereas her Egyptian husband Telegonus was Osiris.