The
ancient Greek word ἰωκή is a rare
doublet for διωκή "rout, onslaught, pursuit" from the common verb διώκω "drive, pursue, chase away".[1]
Mythology
Ioke's parentage is never stated, but she may have been a daughter of Eris, as were many daimones. She is described in the Iliad as thus:[2]
"Across her [Athena's] shoulders she threw the betasselled, terrible aigis (aegis), all about which Phobos (Terror) hangs like a garland, and Eris (Hatred) is there, and Alke (Battle Strength), and heart-freezing Ioke (Onslaught) and thereon is set the head of the grim gigantic Gorgo (Gorgon), a thing of fear and horror, portent of Zeus of the aigis."
Ioke is featured in the Turning Creek novel series by
Michelle Boule depicted as the crossbow-carrying member of the Aegis, which is the group of four warriors who act as Zeus's bodyguards.[3]
Notes
^H. G. Liddel, R. Scott. A Greek-English Lexicon. 10th edition with a revised supplement. Oxford, Clarendon press, 1996, p. 847