A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

or ITO'NIS (Ἰτωνία, Ἰτωνιάς, or Ἰτωνίς), a surname of Athena, derived from the town of Iton, in the south of Phthiotis. (Paus. 1.13.2; Plut. Pyrrh. 26; Plb. 4.25 ; Strab. ix. p.435; Steph. Byz. s. v.; Schol. ad Apollon. 1.551, ad Callim. Hymn. in Cer. 75.) The goddess there had a celebrated sanctuary and festivals, and is hence also called incola Itoni. (Catull. Epithal. P. et Th. 228.) From Iton her worship spread into Boeotia and the country about lake Copais, where the Pamboeotia was celebrated, in the neighbourhood of a temple and grove of Athena. (Paus. 9.34.1; 3.9, in fin.; Plut. Amat. Narr. 4.) According to another tradition, Athena received the surname of Itonia from Itonus, a king or priest. (Paus. 9.34.1; Schol. ad Apollon. Rhod. 1.721.)

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