| The Abduction of Europa 6th century bc, 13-1/2" Tall Item #V102
This black figure vase is subtly colored on a pale beige background with details precisely incised by a knife. The vase is in the Attic Black Figure style and shows Europa riding a bull. The motion depicted on the vase appears to be underwater. Zeus fell in love with Europa daughter of a cattleman from the land of Canaan. Zeus lured Europa to the seashore by having Hermes push her father’s cattle to the beach. Following her father and the cattle to the seashore, Europa took a walk on the beach and Zeus appeared to her as a white bull. |
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Europa was impressed by the beauty of the bull, and amazed at its gentleness. She started playing with him, and at last jumped on its back and started riding him up and down the beach. Zeus the bull threw himself into the sea and swam off with Europa on his back. Europa eventually had three children with Zeus, Minos, Radamantous, and Sarpedon. Europa gave birth to three children: Minos, Radamantous and Sarpedon. |
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