GRECIAN MYTHOLOGY. » 93 
Another object of Zeus’s affections was Leda, wife of Tyndaros, king of 
Sparta. Charmed by her extraordinary beauty, yet denied access to her in 
mortal shape, he changed himself into a swan which became her favorite 
(pl. 20, fig. 2), with whom she produced an egg, from which in due time 
emanated the celebrated twin brothers Castor and Pollux, or the Dioscuri, 
who will be mentioned hereafter. 
Leto (Latona), the daughter of Cozos and the Titanide Phabe, in her attach- 
ment to Zeus, was exposed to hardships and sufferings not less severe than 
those of lo. The ever suspicious Hera constantly persecuted her, and prohibit- 
ed the inhabitants of the countries and islands through which the trembling 
fugitive passed, under the most dreadful threatenings from entertaining her. 
Pursued by the hideous serpent Python, she wandered over all lands, 
obtaining during only a part of the night a brief respite from the monster. 
At a pond in a village in Lycia, the inhabitants refused her the privilege 
of slaking her burning thirst, and pursued her with clubs; and Zeus in 
revenge turned them into frogs. At the solicitation of Zeus, Poserdon 
brought up from the sea the island of Delos, and permitted her to occupy 
it. Here she brought forth Apollo and Artemis. The infant Apollo was 
wrapped by nymphs in costly bandages, and was fed by Themis with 
nectar and ambrosia, which so strengthened him that he burst asunder the 
bandages and threw them aside, and seized his bow and arrow to protect 
his mother and sister. The serpent Python in the meantime renewed his 
persecution, and Leto fled with her twins to Mount Parnassos (pl. 20, 
Jig. 5.) Here Apollo slew the serpent, and cast him into a dark cavern. 
Long after, when a temple was erected on this spot to the honor of Apollo, 
the vapor which issued from the chasm served to inspire the priestesses of 
the celebrated oracle. 
Europa, daughter of king Agenor of Pheenicia, and of the nymph Zéde- 
phassa, also attracted the attentions of Zeus. A box of cosmetics which she 
had received from one of Hera’s maids so heightened her charms as to 
move the heart of the king of gods and men. In order to approach her 
safely, he changed himself into a beautiful bull, and advanced to the sea- 
shore where Europa was gathering flowers with her companions (p/. 20, 
jig. 22). She found the bull so beautiful and gentle that she ventured to 
mount upon his back (pl. 18, jig. 3), when the disguised god ran off with 
his lovely burden to the seas (pl. 17, fig. 10), and swam across to the island 
of Crete, where he transformed himself into a handsome youth, who inspired 
her with love, and to whom she bore three sons, Minos, Sarpedon, and 
Rhadamanthus. 
The most important myth connected with the history of Zeus is comme- 
morated by jig. 11, which is intended to represent Zeus the moment preceding 
the birth of Athene (Minerva), who is said to have sprung from his head. 
After his marriage with J/etis (Prudence), it was predicted that her child, 
if a son, would dethrone him. To prevent this he swallowed his spouse 
before her delivery. Presently he felt a pain in his head, and permitted 
Hephestos to open it with his hammer, when Athene (Wisdom) sprang 
forth in full armor. Another legend relates that she came without genera- 
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