Euro'pa
(
Εὐρώπη), according to the
Iliad (
14.321), a daughter of Phoenix, but according to the common tradition a daughter of Agenor, was carried off by Zeus, who had metamorphosed himself into a bull, from Phoenicia to Crete. (
Apollod. 3.1.1; Mosch. 2.7;
Hdt. 1.173;
Paus. 7.4.1,
9.19.1;
Ov. Met. 2.839, &c.; Comp. AGENOR.) Europe, as a part of the world, was believed to have received its name from this fabulous Phoenician princess. (Hom.
Hymn. in Apoll. 251;
Hdt. 4.45.)
There are two other mythical personages of this name (lies.
Theog. 357;
Pind. P. 4.46), which occurs also as a surname of Demeter. (
Paus. 9.39.4.)
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L.S]