in fabulous history, a daughter of Agenor king of Phoenicia and Telephassa. She was so beautiful that Jupiter became enamoured of her; and the better to seduce her, he assumed the shape of a bull and mingled with the herds of Agenor, while Europa, with her female attendants, were gathering flowers in the meadows. Europa caressed the beautiful animal; and at last had the courage to sit upon his back. The god took advantage of her situation; and with precipitate steps retired towards the shore, crossed the sea with Europa on his back, and arrived safe in Crete. Here he assumed his original shape, and declared his love. The nymph consented, though she had once made vows of perpetual celibacy; and she became mother of Minos, Sarpedon, and Rhadamantus. After this distinguished amour with Jupiter, she married Asterius, king of Crete. This monarch seeing himself without children by Europa, adopted the fruit of her amours with Jupiter, and always esteemed Minos, Sarpedon, and Rhadamantus, as his own children. Some suppose, that Europa lived about 1552 years before the Christian era.