Europe

It is said that Zeus one day fell in love with a young Phoenician princess, the daughter of King Agenor, whose name was Europa. Her admirable beauty aroused the desire of the god who wished at all costs to possess the young woman.
Tand while she was walking in the plains as usual, accompanied by the young ladies of Tire and having fun arranging bouquets, Zeus was amazed by the charming picture that the young woman presented. She bent down laughing to cut the thin stem of the flowers and exuded so much joy and sweetness that he was immediately piqued by an ardent desire. A herd of cows passed quietly near the field where the young women were taking a little rest. Zeus could not show himself to Europa without risking striking her down, so colossal was his power, and to avoid the anger of his jealous wife, the terrible Hera, he took the form of a majestic bull and mingled with the herd. He did not want to frighten his bride and trotted with elegance, a gentle and confident gaze fixed on the young creature. His body, although robust, did not exude anything wild and its splendor was such that the young princess, initially intimidated, could no longer take her eyes off it. Zeus, in this appearance, approached beautiful Europe and lay down at her feet. Flattered, the young woman began to caress the flanks of the beautiful animal and, reassured by its gentleness, adorned its horns with flowery garlands. The disguised god was dazzled by such benevolence and wanted to show his affection by inviting him to ride him.
He bowed his head and bent his knees, hooves to his chest, in a curtsy. The young woman, believing that it was a game, climbed on the back of the young animal, more confident than ever.
Europe - illustration 1
Innocent, she took pleasure in leaving her bare feet along the bull's torso. She shone brightly as he slowly moved away from the place where the young women were resting peacefully.
Then, ensuring that his prey was securely held, he galloped off, stung by passion, and reached the shore in a single bound. He began to cut through the waves with so much ardor that Europe, bent on her back, circled his neck for fear of being swallowed up. The wind blew her long hair and the veils of her dress, and frightened, she clung to the animal, without daring to utter a single cry. She could not turn around to see her friends disappear in the distance and never saw her illustrious father again. After a long and perilous journey across the ocean, he laid the young woman's feverish body on the shore of an unknown land. Exhausted, she let herself be placed on the hot sand.

HASSo Zeus ravishes beautiful Europe to lead her to the island of Crete. There she bore him two sons, Minos and Rhadamanth, whom she raised with tenderness. But Zeus, supreme god, could no longer remain alongside gentle Europe and decided to make her a queen by giving her as wife to the king of Crete, Asterion. 

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