Europa and Zeus

Earlier in this blog I introduced the myth of Europa and Zeus.

I visited the site where Zeus supposedly took the young maiden to complete...  well, to have his way with her... etc





I rather doubt mutual consent was part of the thinking then.

So,  a brief review:

Zeus liked young women.










One day he took a fancy to Europa, a young women from Attica.

One day, as she gathered flowers, he disguised himself as a beautiful white bull.

He enticed her to embrace him and, when she did, he ran to the sea with her holding on for dear life - jumped into the waves and swam her to Crete



This is an ancient Athenian vase that depicts the myth. Note the use of both red and white in the depiction which indicates a date late in the Athenian pottery skill phase.








In Crete, they had three children.

One was Minos who became the king of the Minoans and founder of the civilization.

On my visit to Gortys,  I came across not only the place, but the "very plane tree" under which Zeus and Europa - well - you know.  For a myth that goes back a few millenia, the darn thing looked pretty hale and hearty.








Legend has it that this plane tree has refused to shed its leaves ever since - out of bashfulness? Respect?

And you know what- it still has its leaves!

Regardless- it's official - this sign says so.

Honest- No Bull !