The legend of Europe

Do you know the legend of Europe?

A legend of the old Greece says that the name of "Europe" comes from a beautiful princess who lived thousands of years ago. Zeus, the Greek gods' father, was fascinated by her beauty and devised a plan to get her love. As Europe liked animals very much, Zeus, who had big powers, transformed himself in an attractive white bull. One day, when Europe was taking flowers and walking with her friends along the beach, she saw the precious white bull and approached to caress him. Seeing that he was good and tame, she climbed up to his back. Zeus took that opportunity and ran to the sea and swam, with her on his back, to the island of Crete. There, he recovered his human form and offered three magic gifts to Europe: a giant man of metal who was the guard of the island, a javelin that always hit the focused target and a dog who never failed to catch what he was hunting. Finally Europe did not marry Zeus, she married the King of Crete and became the Queen, but this is another story...

In honor to beautiful Europe, our continent takes her name.

In ancient times there was not television, neither online games, internet or movies. To entertain themselves, people liked listening to legends as this one. Every evening, after the daily tasks, the family gathered and the elderly used to explain exciting stories about heroes, warriors, kings, princes and gods. These tales, magic and religious, were told from parents to children. They all knew these legends that we still remember in our days !!!