Europa and the Bull

This ancient Greek relief (6th–7th cc. BC) from Selinunte, Sicily, depicts the myth of Europa’s abduction by Zeus, disguised as a bull. Likely from a temple dedicated to an agricultural or fertility goddess, the metope blends Greek and Phoenician styles. Dolphins beneath the bull symbolize the sea, emphasizing the myth’s maritime journey. This artifact reflects cultural syncretism, illustrating the fusion of artistic traditions and mythologies in ancient Mediterranean societies.