The legend of Thassos tells of a prince who, instead of his lost sister, found his home. How the island’s name is linked to the Phoenician princess Europa – and to the name of our continent.
Legend has it that long ago King Agenor ruled in eastern Phoenicia. He had five sons and one beautiful daughter, Europa. One spring day Zeus, the highest of all the gods, enchanted by her beauty, turned himself into a bull and carried her off to a cave on the island of Crete, where he changed back into a god and stayed with her. From this union Europa bore three sons.
King Agenor wanted his daughter back. He summoned all his sons and ordered them to search for her and not to return without her. One of the sons, Thassos, sailed to an emerald-green island and was enchanted by its climate and natural riches. Knowing that he could not return without Europa, he gave up the search and settled here. The island has borne his name ever since.
Prince Thassos of Phoenicia
King Agenor
Princess Europa
Herodotus
Herodotus, the greatest historian of antiquity, was so sure of this that he states in his work: “the island was named after Thassos of Phoenicia”.
The name of the beautiful princess Europa was never forgotten either – it lives on for ever in the name of the continent of Europe. The legend of the abduction of Europa still interests historians and archaeologists today, and the belief persists that the beginnings of European culture are to be sought on Crete.
Many consider it “the greatest mystery of history”.
Read about the Sirens and the island’s past in the article History of Thassos.
The article Resorts on Thassos will help you decide where to stay on Thassos.
According to legend, after the Phoenician prince Thassos, the son of King Agenor.
His sister Europa, who had been carried off by Zeus in the form of a bull.
Yes, the continent bears the name of Princess Europa.
The ancient historian Herodotus.
Prince Thassos did not find his sister, but he found a home – and anyone who visits the island will understand his decision.
