The Main Players
This King of the Gods fell in love with Io?
Who is Zeus?
To cover up his affair, Zeus turned Io into this animal.
What is a cow?
Io wandered across many lands after being turned into a cow, crossing this narrow waterway that now bears her name.
What is Bosporus?
This common power gods used to change the form of mortals and themselves.
What is transformation (or shape-shifting)?
In mythology, animals often represent emotions. The cow here represents this feeling.
What is innocence (or victimhood)?
She was Zeus's jealous wife who suspected his affair.
Who is Hera?
Zeus used this to hide his meeting with Io from Hera.
What is a cloud (or mist)?
After much suffering, Io finally reached this country, where she was restored to human form.
What is Egypt?
Zeus's love for Io was dangerous because he was already this.
What is married?
Hera's jealousy is a classic example of this kind of conflict.
What is divine rivalry (or spousal jealousy)
This mortal priestess of Hera caught Zeus's eye
Who is Io?
Hera demanded Io as a gift, pretending she believed Io was just this.
What is a random cow (or "a beautiful cow")?
Io eventually gave birth to this son, and ancestor of Heracles.
Who is Epaphus?
Hera's gift of the cow was actually a trap ---- This is what she was really doing.
What is punishing Io (or spying on Zeus)?
Hermes role in the myth shows his reputation as this.
What is a trickster (or cunning messenger)?
Know for having a hundred eyes, he was Hera's chosen watchman.
Who is Argus Panoptes?
After Hermes killed Argus, Hera did this to honor her servant.
What is placed his eyes on the peacock's feathers?
Hera assigned this hundred-eyed giant to guard Io.
Who is Argus?
Hermes put Argus to sleep with this musical instrument.
What is lyre (or pan flute)?
The eyes of Argus on the peacock symbolize this.
What is eternal watchfulness?
This messenger god was sent by Zeus to rescue Io.
Who is Hermes
Hera sent this insect to endlessly torment Io.
What is gadfly?
According to some versions, Io was worshipped in Egypt as this goddess.
Who is Isis
Io's transformation represents this theme common in Greek myths.
What is loss of identity or divine punishment for love?
Io's suffering and journey reflect the human struggle with these two forces.
What are fate and divine will?