Europa was a Cretan moon goddess who was adopted into Greek mythology as a virgin Phoenician princess abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull, raped by him, and subsequently abandoned. Europa was the daughter of the King Agenor of Sidon and the continent of Europe was named after her.
One night Europa had a dream. In this dream two continents, which were in the forms of women were arguing over Europa. Asia maintained that since Europa had been born in Asia she belonged to it. The other continent, which was nameless, said that her birth was not important, that Zeus would give her to it.
It was early morning, disturbed by the dream Europa did not go back to sleep. She summoned her companions, who were all daughters of nobility and of her age. It was a beautiful day and they went off gathering flowers by the sea. Zeus noticed this charming group, particularly Europa, who was the prettiest of the maidens. Zeus appeared to the group as a white bull. A white bull more beautiful than any other. A bull that smelled of flowers, and lowed musically. A bull so obviously gentle that all the maidens rushed to stroke and pet it.
The
bull laid down in front of Europa. She slid on to its back. Instantly,
the bull charged off, plunging into the sea,
and began to swim rapidly
from the shore. Europa saw that a procession had joined them, Nereids riding dolphins, Triton blowing his horn, and Poseidon.
From this she
realized that the bull must
be a god. She pleaded with him to pity her. Zeus spoke to her and
explained his love. He took her to Create, where he had been raised. He
promised that she would bear him
many famous sons.
Noël Nicolas Coypel (1690-1734), The Rape of Europa. Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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