the Peloponnesian phytonym rhute ̄ (Ruta graveolens L.), from another work On the Peloponnesian
cities. C 5.22.5 describes one of his compound medicines, a cauterizing powder.
GGLA 1 (1891) 826, M. Wellmann; RE 9.2 (1916) 1855 (#2), H. Gossen.
Jean-Marie Jacques
Io ̄n of Khios (ca 460 – before 421 BCE)
Writer of lyric poetry and tragedy, born in Khios ca 490, also known as Xouthos. His
tragedies were performed during the 82nd Olympiad (452–449). He wrote prose works,
including a history of the foundation of Khios (Khiou Ktisis) and a book of memoirs (Hupom-
ne ̄mata or Epide ̄miai), where Io ̄n recounts his meetings with and opinions about great men
such as Kimo ̄n, Aeschylus, Sophokle ̄s, Perikle ̄s or So ̄crate ̄s.
The earliest known testimonies about Io ̄n are found in Aristophane ̄s and Isokrate ̄s. The
former (Peace 832 – 837, presented in 421 BCE), dramatically assuming Io ̄n’s recent death,
calls him “morning star,” alluding to the first words of one of his dithyrambs. Isokrate ̄s
(Antidosis 268), including Io ̄n among the “old sophists,” together with E,
A, P, M and G, recalls their theories about the
number of the first elements.
Io ̄n authored a philosophical book entitled Triagmos or Triagmoi, a word of dubious meaning
interpreted as “tripartition” or “triad.” The treatise opens as follows: “This is the beginning
of my discourse: all things are three and not more or less than these three. The virtue of
each singular thing consists of a triad, intelligence, power and fortune.” (DK 36B1).
I P says that Io ̄n postulated fire, earth and air as the material elements
(DK 36A6), which some scholars interpret as a cosmological version of the triad-theory.
The scholion to Aristophane ̄s’ Peace (832) quotes a book entitled Kosmologikos, probably a
different title for the same work. According to A, “about the nature of the Moon, Io ̄n
believes that it is partly a translucent and transparent body, partly an opaque one” (DK
36A7). Ancient scholars considered Io ̄n to be not only a poet but also a natural scientist.
Ed.: DK 36; FGrHist 392; A. Leurini, Ionis Chii. Testimonia et Fragmenta (1992).
DPA 3 (2000) 864–866, L. Brisson.
José Solana Dueso
Io ̄nikos of Sarde ̄s (ca 380 – 400 CE?)
Philosopher, physician, rhetorician, and poet, son of a physician and student of Ze ̄no ̄n of
Cyprus, knowledgeable in all aspects of medicine, especially theory and anatomy, a highly
admired teacher, esteemed for his practical therapy, pharmacology, bandaging, and surgery.
He was also skilled in medical prognostication and divination (E, Vit. Phil. 499), but
no publications are attested.
BNP 6 (2005) 1078, V. Nutton.
GLIM
Iordanes (ca 550 CE)
Historian of Gothic descent who most probably worked in Constantinople and wrote in
Latin. He compiled a world chronicle, De Summa Temporum Vel Origine Gentis Romanorum
(known as the Romana) and a history of the Goths, De Origine Actibusque Getarum (known as the
IO ̄N OF KHIOS