Europa was a mortal princess of Phoenicia in Greek Mythology, she is best known for being a lover or wife of Zeus, the King of Gods and the first Queen of Crete.
Genealogy and Family[]
Europa is usually believed to be the daughter Agenor, the Phoenician King of Tyre (modern day Lebanon) and Queen Telephassa also known as Argiope. However, according to the Iliad, her father is Phoenix, son of Agenor and mother is Perimede, Princess of Calydonia. It is generally agreed that she had at least two brothers, Cadmus and Cilix with Phoenix also being her brother as Agenor's daughter.
With Zeus, Europa had four sons, Minos, Rhadamanthus, Carnus and Sarpedon and one daughter named Alagonia. Depending on the account, she was just a lover of Zeus and later wed to King Asterius of Crete who adopted and raised three of her sons, Minos, Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon, whilst Carnus was raised by Apollo and Leto. She was also the mother or stepmother of Crete, the daughter of her husband, Asterius. However some stories say Zeus took Europa as a wife.
Role and Significance[]
Europa's name was given to the continent of Europe, she was also worshipped under the name of Hellotis in Gortyn, Crete, where the festival Hellotia was held in her honour. She was also a popular figure of art, ancient as well as postclassical, with her myth being one off the best-known tales of Zeus’ amorous adventures.
Stories[]
Europa and the Bull by Guido Reni.