- Europa
- Io
- Semele
Europa
Europa was the daughter of the King Agenor of Sidon. She had the continent of Europe named for her. Somewhat miraculesly Hera was distracted during her affair with Zeus and never punished her for it.One night Europa had a dream. In this dream two continents, which werein the forms of women were arguing over Europa. Asia maintained thatsince 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 wouldgive 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 herage. It was a beautiful day and they went off gathering flowers by the sea.Zeus noticed this charming group, particularly Europa, who was the prettestof the maidens. Some say that Eros, induced him into action with one of his darts. Although, Zeus often made due with self motivation. In any case, Zeus appeared to the group as a white bull. A white bull more beautiful then 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 rapidlyfrom the shore. Europa saw that a procesion had joined them, Nereids riding dolphins, Triton blowing his horn, even Poseidon. From this sherealized 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, wherehe had been raised. He promised that she would bear him many famoussons.
Her sons included Minos I and Rhadamanthus.
Io
Zeus fell in love with Io and seduced her. To try to keep Hera from noticing he covered the world with a thick blanket of clouds. Thisbackfired, arousing Hera's suspicions. She came down from Mount Olympusand begain dispersing the clouds. Zeus did some quick thinking and changed Io's form from being a lovely maiden. So as the clouds dispersedHera found Zeus standing next to a white heifer. He then swore thathe had never seen the cow before, it had just sprang right out of the earth. Seeing right through this Hera complimented the cow and asked to have it as a present. As turning such a reasonable request down would have given the whole thing away, Zeus presented her with the cow.
She sent the cow away and arranged Arges to watch over it. Since Arges had a hundred eyes and could have some of them sleep while others were awake he made a fine watchman. Desperate, Zeus sent Hermes to fetchIo. Disgused as a shepard, Hermes had to employ all his skill as a musician and story teller to gain Arges confidence and lull him to sleep.Once asleep Hermes killed Arges. As a memorial, Hera took his eyes andset them into the tail of her favorite bird, the peaco*ck.
While Io was now free Hera sent the mother of all gad-flys to sting thestill bovine Io. This pushed her near madness, trying to escape she wandered the world. During her wanders she came across Prometheus while chained. He gave her hope. He predicted that she would have to wander for many years. But, she would eventually be changed backinto human form and would bear a child. He predicted that a decendent ofthis child would be a great hero and set him free.
His predictions came true. During her wanderings many geographical features where named after her including the Ionian Sea, and the Bosphorus (which means ford of the cow). She eventually reached the Nile where Zeus did restore her to human form. She bore Epaphus and eleven generations later her descendant Hercules would set Prometheus free.
Semele
Semele was a Thebian princess. She is the only mortal to be theparent of a god. She was one of Zeus many lovers and like most came to an unfortunate end due to Hera's jealous hatred. She is best known as the mother of Dionysus. While she was killed shortly before giving birth the child was resuced by Zeus.Eventually Dionysus, who had never seen her, managed to rescue her from the underworld. and arrange for her to live on Mount Olympus.
