Who was Europa in Greek mythology?
Europa was a Phoenician princess in Greek mythology, abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull. She became the first queen of Crete and the mother of the Cretan king Minos.
Questions about Europa (consort of Zeus)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did Zeus abduct Europa?
Zeus transformed himself into a tame white bull and mixed in with the herds of Europa's father. When she climbed onto his back, he ran to the sea and swam to the island of Crete, carrying her with him.
Who were the children of Europa and Zeus?
Europa bore three sons to Zeus: Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Sarpedon. Minos and Rhadamanthus later became judges of the Underworld, alongside Aeacus of Aegina.
Who were Europa's parents and brothers?
Europa is generally said to be the daughter of Agenor, the Phoenician King of Tyre, though some sources name her father as Phoenix. Her two agreed brothers were Cadmus, who brought the alphabet to mainland Greece, and Cilix, who gave his name to Cilicia.
How is the continent of Europe connected to Europa?
The continent's name derives from the Greek Eurōpē, the same name as the mythological princess. The term first named part of Thrace, spread through ecclesiastical use for Charlemagne's imperium in the 8th century, and became the modern geographical term.
What is named after Europa besides the continent?
The rare-earth metal europium was named after the continent in 1901, and the smallest of Jupiter's Galilean moons is named Europa. The European Union also depicts her on the Greek two-euro coin and on the second series of euro banknotes.
Why was Europa worshipped as a goddess in Phoenicia?
In Phoenician Sidon, Lucian of Samosata was told that a great temple, usually called the temple of Astarte, was sacred to Europa. The myth may originate in a sacred union between the Phoenician deities Aštar and Astarte in bovine form, with Europa identified as Astarte in her guise as the broad-faced moon.