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Ionic hexameter

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A six-foot line composed of Ionic feet (four syllables, two patterns possible)

Detailed Definition
Ionic hexameter is a six-foot line built from ionic metrical units (typically u u – –), used in ancient Greek choral odes for its stately yet fluid cadence; it differs from dactylic hexameter by emphasizing paired short and long syllables, evoking ritual or communal celebration.
Example
Example in poetry:
Ionic hexameter: Six Ionic feet per line (rare in English); approximation: “Over ocean waves that shimmer in the golden morning light” — each foot follows ˘ ˘ ¯ ¯.
Additional Notes
Six Ionic feet per line. Extended Ionic meter rare in English but found in classical Greek. Creates sustained wavelike rhythm. Very long line requiring careful breath control. Compare with hexameters in other meters.
Also Known As
Greek long meter Ionic six-foot Classical extended line Double-short hexameter
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