Zeus, Europa, Io,
and The Muses
Sabrina Dauphin
Jordan Ingersoll
Zeus
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zeus_Otricoli_Pio-Clementino_Inv257.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus
http://mitologiagriegainfo.blogspot.com/2010/08/zeus.html
‘The Supreme Ruler’,
‘Lord of the Sky’,
‘Rain-god’,
‘Cloud-gatherer’.
God of the heavens.
The symbols of Zeus were the scepter, the throne and the
thunderbolt. Zeus' tree was the oak tree and his sacred
animal was the eagle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronus
“I am the mightiest of all. Make trial that you may know. Fasten a rope”
When Zeus was born, his mother hid him from his father who had eaten his five
other children. When Zeus had grown up, he returned to his father’s home and
made Cronus regurgitate his brothers and sisters. Zeus led a war against the Titans
in which he won. He and his brothers divided the universe between themselves
and Zeus gained the heavens and sky.
http://www.theoi.com/Ther/AetosDios.html
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Spouse: Hera
Children: Athena, the Muses, Minos, Rhadamanthys and
Sarpedon*
Siblings: Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Hera, Demeter
• Zeus controlled thunder, lightning and rain. He is also known
to have caused thunderstorms.
• He had an uncontrollable adulterous nature and a weakness for
women.
• In Homer's epic poem the Iliad he sent
thunderstorms against his enemies. The planet,
Jupiter, is named after Zeus’ Roman equivalent.
Many of its moons are named after Zeus’ lovers
and children.
*Many of Zeus’ children are unlisted because he had over 140.
Io
http://www.theoi.com/Heroine/Io.html
/
http://www.sylvie-tribut-astrologue.com/tag/hera-confie-la-genisse-io-a-un-gardien-argos-aux-cent-yeux
http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/L11.3.html
‘An Argive princess’
‘The daughter of Inachus’
• Io was represented by a white cow or a gad-fly
• Io was an Argive princess and the daughter of Inachus, an ancient hero. She
was also one of the many human “loves” of Zeus.
• Was turned into a cow by Zeus and was watched by Argus. However,
Hermes saved her.
• Walked to the river with a gadfly biting her, but was
changed back to human in Egypt.
http://oxboxer.livejournal.com/73801.html
•
•
•
•
Parents: Inachus,
Spouse:,siblings:,
Children: Epaphus
Descendants: Cadmus, Perseus, and Hercules.
• While Io could easily make allies, she also complained and put the
blame on others.
• Ionia, or the western coast of Asia Minor, is named after her
because she reputedly ran down this coastline while she was being
pursued by Hera's gadfly.
• When Hermes rescued Io, he killed Argus, whose eyes became the
tail of the peacock, a bird associated with Hera.
• Like Europa, Io is also the name of a moon
orbiting Jupiter.
http://www.maicar.com/GML/Europa.html
http://cyborgmonkey.wordpress.com/tag/orienalizing/
Europa
http://cyborgmonkey.wordpress.com/tag/orienalizing/
http://www.windows2universe.org/mythology/planets/Jupiter/Europa_myth_3.html
‘A Phoenician Princess’
Europa is usually seen riding on the back of a bull, often
with one hand on its horn.
Europa was a Phoenician princess abducted by Zeus
(who was disguised as a beautiful bull), raped by him,
and subsequently abandoned. She had three sons for
him.
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/french/blix/LitHumFall48/images_iliad.htm
Parents: King Agenor of Sidon and Telephassa
Spouse: Asterius
Siblings: Cadmus, Cilix, Phoenix
Children: King Minos, Rhadamanthys, Sarpedon, Carnus,
Dodon/Crete
Europa is fertile, beautiful, and is associated with dreams,
herbs, and divination. However, some argue that Europa
did not fight hard enough to get off the back of the bull
and goes along happily
A moon of Jupiter is named after her and the continent of
Europe named for her.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Minerva_among_the_Muses.jpg
http://www.herravendomain.com/?p=89
The Muses
http://www.imaginalinstitute.com/findingmuseslanding.htm
http://mjt.org/intro/muses.htm
“Inspiration for artists, poets, philosophers, and musicians.”
“Leaders of arts and science”
The Muses were Greek goddesses who led the arts and science. They were believed to
inspire artists, poets, philosophers, and musicians.
During Zeus’ affair with Mnemosyne, he lay with her for nine consecutive nights,
making the Nine Muses. They entertained the gods as a celestial choir on Mount
Olympus. They became deities of intellectual pursuits.
Each muse has her own distinctive symbol:
Calliope: (often holding a writing tablet).
Clio: (often holding a scroll).
Erato: (often playing a lyre).
Euterpe: (often playing flutes).
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/acting/images/204463/title/comedy-tragedy-masks-photo
Melpomene: (often holding a tragic mask).
Polymnia: (often shown with a pensive look).
Terpsichore: (often shown dancing and holding a lyre).
Thalia: (often holding a comic mask).
Urania: (often holding a globe).
http://www.templeinstitute.org/vessels_gallery_21.htm
Parents: Zeus and Mnemosyne (Memory)
Children: Orpheus, Rhesus, Eumolpus
Each had their own ability:
Clio- history
Urnia- astronomy,
Melpomene-tragedy
Thalia-comedy
Terischore-dance
Calliope-epic poetry
Erato- love poetry
Polyhymnia- songs to the gods
Euterpe- lyrical poetry
No weaknesses.
http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/Z20.4.html
From their name words such as music, museum, mosaic are derived. Many poets and
lyricist also opened their works with ‘O Muse’ when needing inspiration.
Sources
• "Europa (mythology)." Princeton. N.p.. Web. 9 Dec
2013.
<https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/d
ocs/Europa_(mythology).html>.
• "the story oF IO." Projects by Students for Students.
Oracle Thinkquest. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
<http://library.thinkquest.org/J002356F/storyio.htm>.
• Garside, Adam. "Io." . Encyclopedia Mythica, 25 Apr
2001. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/i/io.html>