Io (Nymph)
nymphIo was a priestess of Hera transformed into a white cow by Zeus to hide their affair — she wandered in torment across the world before being restored in Egypt.
The Myth
Zeus loved Io and transformed her into a cow to hide the affair from Hera. Hera demanded the cow as a gift and set hundred-eyed Argus to guard her. After Hermes killed Argus, Hera sent a gadfly to torment Io. She fled across continents — the Ionian Sea and the Bosphorus ("ox-ford") are named for her crossing. In Egypt, Zeus restored her human form. She bore Epaphus, ancestor of Danaus, the Danaids, Perseus, and Heracles — making her the matriarch of the greatest heroic lineage.
Parents
Inachus (river god)
Children
Epaphus (by Zeus)
Symbols
Fun Fact
Both the Ionian Sea and the Bosphorus ("ox-ford") are named for Io — geography permanently marked by her bovine wandering.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Hera
godQueen of the Olympian gods and goddess of marriage. Known for her jealous rages against Zeus's...
Heracles
heroThe greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his...
Hermes
godThe swift messenger of the gods and guide of souls to the underworld. Hermes was the cleverest of...
Io
heroIo was a priestess of Hera whom Zeus seduced and then transformed into a white cow to hide from his...
Perseus
heroThe legendary hero who slew the Gorgon Medusa and rescued Andromeda from a sea monster. Perseus...
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...