8、Word Knowledge词汇知识：欧罗芭

Europa（欧罗芭）

In Greek mythology, Zeus was often seen wooing（追求） a mortal maiden under various disguises（化装）. Myth has it that if Zeus revealed himself in his true form as king of heaven, the splendor of his glory would cause instant destruction to mortals.

在希腊神话中，宙斯在追求人间的美女时，常常会伪装成各种各样的东西，因为据说一旦宙斯露出他宇宙之王的真身，他身上的巨大光芒便会立刻将凡人彻底摧毁。

Europa, the daughter of Agenor, king of Phoenicia, was one of Zeus’ mortal lovers. Charmed with her great beauty, Zeus transformed himself into a white bull, and trotted（小跑） quietly up to the princess.

欧罗芭是腓尼基国王阿戈诺耳的女儿，也是宙斯在凡间的情人之一。宙斯被她的惊人美貌所吸引，化身为一头白牛悄悄接近公主。

Unaware of the danger, Europa seated herself on its back playfully（调皮的）. Hardly had she done so than the disguised（伪装的） god bounded away with his lovely burden, and swam across the sea with her to the island of Crete.

欧罗芭没有意识到其中的危险，顽皮地骑上了牛背。还没等她坐稳，白牛便带着这个可爱的负担飞奔而去，越过爱琴海，来到了克里特岛。

Such was the origin of the continent Europe. Europe was named after Europa, the mother of Minos, who later became the king of Crete.

这就是欧洲大陆的起源，欧罗芭的儿子弥诺斯后来成了克里特的国王。

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