ABSTRACT
The principal Greek god, Zeus just could not stay away from mortal women. He disguised himself as a swan to seduce Leda, a queen of Sparta. He took on the shape of a bull to seduce Europa, a Phoenician princess. The story of Europa and the bull resonated so deeply with a continent that it took its name from the princess in the Greek myth. For as long as bulls have roamed the earth, Europeans “have feared, been intrigued by, and exalted their graceful strength.” 1 Ancient representations of the bull survive on cave paintings in France and Spain, and the animal continues to fascinate the continent that bears Europa's name.
