# Io — Metamorphoses character guide

> Io in Metamorphoses by Ovid.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0008-transformation-of-io-into-a-heifer-and-the-eyes-of-argus-into-a-peacock-s-train

## Who they are

Priestess of Juno turned into a heifer by Jupiter.

## Relationships

### [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/apollo)

_romantic_

Apollo pursues Io romantically, but his love is unrequited or leads to her suffering.

### [Ino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/ino)

_family_

Ino and Io are sisters, with Ino often aiding Io in her trials.

### [Midas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/midas)

_social_

Io and Midas are connected through mythological narratives but not directly close.

### [Jove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/jove)

_romantic_

Jove pursues Io romantically, but his advances lead to her transformation and persecution by Juno.

### [Europa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/europa)

_social_

Europa and Io are both mortal women pursued by Jove, linked by shared experience.

### [Medea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/medea)

_social_

Io and Medea are both victims of divine and human cruelty, but not directly connected.

### [Ino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/ino)

_family_

Ino and Io are sisters, with Ino often aiding Io in her trials.

### [Midas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/midas)

_social_

Io and Midas are connected through mythological narratives but not directly close.

### [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/apollo)

_romantic_

Apollo pursues Io romantically, but his love is unrequited or leads to her suffering.

### [Medea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/medea)

_social_

Io and Medea are both victims of divine and human cruelty, but not directly connected.

### [Jove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/jove)

_romantic_

Jove pursues Io romantically, but his advances lead to her transformation and persecution by Juno.

### [Ino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/ino)

_family_

Ino and Io are sisters, with Ino often aiding Io in her trials.

## In the story

### [Transformation of Io Into a Heifer, and the Eyes of Argus Into a Peacock’s Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-io-into-a-heifer-and-the-eyes-of-argus-into-a-peacock-s-train)

Daughter of Inachus, transformed into a heifer by Jove, guarded by Argus, and eventually restored in Egypt.

### [Transformation of Syrinx Into Reeds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-syrinx-into-reeds)

Io is transformed into a heifer, wanders, and is finally restored to human form.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/io
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters