Historiae Romanorum

Europa

Zeus fell in love with the beautiful Europa.  Taking the form of a bull, he wandered among a herd, which Hermes had driven to down to the shore where Europa was playing.  The bull was so handsome, that Europa was drawn to him.  Eventually, she climbed upon his back.  The bull then waded out into the water and swam all the way to Crete, where Zeus and Europa became lovers.  The two had three sons: Minos, Rhadamanthys (Apollodorus writes that it was Miletus instead) and Sarpedon.  She then headed to Crete, and married the king Asterius.

Source(s):

1. Ovid.  Metamorphoses.

2. Apollodorus.  Bibliotece.

This page was last updated on July 21, 2004.