Who is europa in greek mythology

And since Zeus is used to getting his way, he decides to simply take what he wants — albeit using a ruse. Zeus transforms himself into a beautiful white bull. When he nears Europa and her friends, the girls are, of course, a little apprehensive. Where did this giant, gleaming white bull come from? Can it be trusted? Zeus gets up and slowly starts walking around. But soon, he accelerates his pace and eventually breaks into a gallop, with Europa clinging on for dear life.

Before long, Zeus and the frightened girl reach the seaside. The second was a dog, Laelaps, which could hunt anything she wanted. The last one was a javelin that had the power to hit the target, whatever it was.

Europa was later married to one of the kings of Crete, Asterius, who adopted her sons and made her the first queen of Crete. In the meanwhile, her father, Agenor, had ordered her brothers to cross the whole world and not to return if they hadn't found his precious daughter. Europa had four brothers. Cilix, his eldest brother, was searching for a long time but with no success. He ended up in a region in Asia Minor, which he named Cicilia after him and became a king there.

Thasus eventually landed on the island of Thassos, also gave it his name and reigned there. Phoenix went to Africa. Cadmus, the youngest and most beloved brother of Europa, asked the Oracle of Delphi what to do. The priests of the Oracle told him not to worry about his sister because she was safe.

They also told him to go to Boeotia, a region to the north of Athens, and found a town there, which would become rich and powerful in the years to come. Indeed, Cadmus founded a town in Boetia to which gave his name, Cadmia. Later on, this town changed its name and was called Thebes.

It is said that when Europa died, Zeus transformed her into a star complex and he himself took again the shape of the white bull to merge in the complex. The Taurus Constellation is believed to be the form of Zeus.

The great bull walked gently over to where Europa stood and knelt at her feet. The appearance and movements of the bull were so gentle that Europa spread flowers about his neck and dared to climb upon his back. But suddenly, the bull rushed over the sea abducting Europa. Only then the bull revealed its true identity and took Europa to the Mediterranean island of Crete.

There, Zeus cast off the shape of the white bull, and back into his human form, made Europa his lover beneath a simple cypress tree. Europa became the first queen of Crete and had by Zeus three sons. At last, Zeus reproduced the shape of the white bull, used by Zeus to seduce Europa, in the stars. Even today we can recognize its shape in the constellation Taurus. What's New on the Site? When Nature Strikes - Earthquakes. When Nature Strikes: Wildfires - Why are they a challenge to stop?

Become a member Member Benefits, No Ads. The story of Europa and Cadmus is found in Greek mythology. They were the children of the king of a land called Phoenicia, which is modern day Lebanon. The God Zeus fell in love with Europa and wanted to take her away from her family to live with him. She was not aware that Zeus had turned himself into the bull in order to trick her. After she climbed on his back he quickly jumped into the sea and carried her away from her homeland.

Cadmus sailed over the sea and eventually arrived in Greece.