Source edition
Moschus. The Greek Bucolic Poets. Edmonds, J. M., editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1916.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a lyrical epyllion (short epic) that beautifully depicts the Greek myth of the Phoenician princess Europa, who is courted and abducted to Crete by the supreme god Zeus. The story begins as Europa, awakening from a strange dream sent by Aphrodite, goes with her handmaidens to gather flowers in a meadow by the sea. After a detailed description of the exquisite golden basket made by Hephaestus which she carries, Zeus, captivated by her beauty, approaches her in the guise of a gentle, radiant golden bull. Tempted by his gentleness, Europa climbs onto the bull's back, only for the beast to suddenly rush into the sea and carry her across the waves. Upon arriving at the island of Crete, Zeus reveals his true divine form to unite with her, and Europa embraces her destiny as the mother of noble kings.