Zeus (as Eagle) and Gaymede
Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art
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Although Zeus was well known for his dalliances with various women (and thus infuriating his wife, the goddess Hera), Zeus didn't limit himself to young women. At least once he also fell in love with a young boy: Ganymede, son of King Tros of Troy.
Because Zeus found the young Ganymede so desirable, he changed himself into and eagle and swooped down to abduct him. Zeus carried the boy high up to Mt. Olympus and made him a cupbearer for the gods. Hera, already annoyed that Zeus had found yet another mortal to cheat on her with, was made even angrier by this last decision because cupbearer was a position that had previously been held by her daughter with Zeus, Hebe.
Zeus so loved Ganymede that he never wanted to be without the boy's company and so created the constellation Aquarius, the cupbearer, to commemorate their love. It is believed by some scholars that this story was used to explain and/or justify the presence of homosexuality in ancient Greece - in particular the homosexual relationships that developed between younger males and older men.
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