Zeus saw Europa gathering flowers and immediately fell in love with her. Zeus transformed himself into a white bull and carried Europa away to the island of Crete. He then revealed his true identity and Europa became the first queen of Crete.

Europa's brother, Cadmus, went on a quest to find his disappeared sister. Upon consult of the oracle of Delphi, he was advised to travel until encountering a cow. He was to follow this cow and to found a city where the cow would lay down; this city became Thebes.

Telephassa, with her sons, went out in search of Europa but she died on the expedition, and was buried by Cadmus. (Apollod. iii. 1. 1)

Cilix, Europa's other brother, also searched for her and settled down in Asia Minor. The land was called Cilicia after him.

Greek Mythology

See also : Greek Mythology. Paintings, Drawings

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