Iodame

In Greek mythology, Iodame or Iodama (/aɪˈɒdəmiː/; Ancient Greek: Ἰοδάμαν probably means "heifer calf of Io"[1]) was the daughter of Itonus and granddaughter of Amphictyon.[2] She was a priestess at the temple of Athena Itonia built by her father. 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 stone. After this, a priestess lit the fire on the altar every day, repeating thrice: "Iodame lives and demands fire".[3]

An alternate story of Athena and Iodame is found in the Etymologicum Magnum.[4] According to it, both Iodame and Athena were daughters of Itonus. They became jealous of each other and started fighting, which resulted in Iodame being killed by Athena. The story is similar to that of Athena and Pallas (daughter of Triton).

According to John Tzetzes, Iodame became mother of Thebe with Zeus[2] while some authors, adds another son, Deucalion.[5]

References
  1. Robert Graves. The Greek Myths (1960)
  2. Tzetzes on Lycophron, 1206
  3. Pausanias, Description of Greece, 9. 34. 1-2
  4. Etymologicum Magnum, 479. 47, under Itonis
  5. 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.
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