Europa was the daughter of the King of Agenor (some verions say the king of Phoenica). One day she and her maids were picking flowers in a meadow by the sea. Zeus looked down and wanted her immediately. In order to fool his wife, he took the form of a pure white bull, and wandered over to Europa.

The beast was very gentle and lovely, Europa could not help herself, and had to ride upon his back. The minute she sat down, he lept off into the sea. He swam to Crete and transformed himself into an eagle. For some reason, Zeus seemed to think that coupling with a mortal while he was in an animal form would fool his wife. And for some other unknown reason, all these women agreed to couple with these animals!

Europa became pregnant and bore two children; Minos, the owner of the Minotaur, and Rhadamanthus, both sons became judges of the dead in the underworld. Europa eventually married the King of Crete, who adopted her two sons.

Her family did not forget her, and her brothers were sent in search. She was not found, but one of the brothers, Cadmus, became the first king of Thebes.

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