Ganymede (mythology) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ganymede |
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| Cupbearer to the gods | |
Roman marble bust depicting Ganymede, dating to the 2nd century, now at the Louvre
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| Abode | Mount Olympus |
| Parents | Tros and Callirhoe or Acallaris |
In Greek mythology, Ganymede or Ganymedes (Greek: Γανυμήδη, Ganymēdēs) was an extremely handsome youth. Homer said he was the most beautiful of all mortals. He was born a prince of Troy. His parents were King Tros (from whose name "Troy" is derived), and Queen Callirrhoe, daughter of the river god Scamander.
Myth
Zeus went down to Earth in the form of an eagle and took Ganymede up to Mount Olympus. There, Ganymede was made immortal. He served as the cup-bearer of the gods.
In various stories, Zeus later put Ganymede in the sky as the constellation Aquarius (the "water-carrier" or "cup-carrier"), which is adjacent to Aquila (the Eagle). In recognition of the myth, the largest moon of the planet Jupiter (named after Zeus's Roman counterpart) was named Ganymede by the German astronomer Simon Marius.
Images for kids
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Zeus carrying away Ganymede (Late Archaic terracotta, 480-470 BC)
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The Induction of Ganymede in Olympus (1768) by van Loo
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See also
In Spanish: Ganimedes (mitología) para niños
