Loves and Lusts: Europa and the Bull

Europa was a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Agenor, king of Tyre, or of Phoenix (i.e., the Phoenician). Accompanied by the daughters of noble families, she delighted in picking the varied blossoms that flourished in the meadow along the coast. Absorbed in girlish merriment and gay laughter, Europa caught the roving eye of Zeus who observed her from Mt. Olympus. Zeus was stirred with passion for the beautiful maiden and sent Hermes to drive the king's cattle from the mountain slopes to the meadow where the young girls were at play. Zeus changed himself into a majestic bull in order to avoid the jealous and watchful gaze of his wife Hera, as well as not to frighten the maids in his true form. Mingling with the king's herd, he gradually approached Europa in a mild and temperate manner so as not to startle her. Enticed by his grace and beauty as well as by his gentleness, Europa caressed the bull's powerful neck and placed garlands about his horns. Now crouched to lure her closer, the bull exposed his broad back onto which Europa obligingly seated herself. Zeus rose to his feet and trotted across the meadow toward the shore; and, taking the princess from her Asian homeland, swam the broad sea with the frightened Europa on his back. Arriving on the island of Crete, Zeus ravished Europa, who ultimately bore him Minos, Rhadamanthys, and Sarpedon. As partial compensation for her loss, Europa's name was bestowed on the continent that had received her.