Greek Mythology Notes

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Europa

hero

Εὐρώπη

Princess who gave her name to a continent

Europa was the Phoenician princess whom Zeus, in the form of a white bull, carried across the sea to Crete — her name was given to the continent of Europe.

The Myth

Zeus appeared to Europa as a beautiful white bull on the beach at Sidon. Enchanted, she climbed on his back. He plunged into the sea and carried her to Crete, where she bore him three sons: Minos, Rhadamanthys, and Sarpedon — all of whom became judges of the dead. She married King Asterion of Crete, who adopted Zeus's sons. The continent of Europe was named after her — a Phoenician princess, ironically, giving her name to the lands to the west.

Parents

Agenor and Telephassa

Children

Minos, Rhadamanthys, Sarpedon

Symbols

white bullsea crossingCreteflowers

Fun Fact

An entire continent bears her name — and her image appeared on Greek coins for centuries and now on Euro banknotes.

Words We Inherited

English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:

Europe European

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