The ancient Greek goddess Europa who was abducted and raped by the god Zeus is to be featured on new five-euro notes which will be unveiled by the European Central Bank in the Spring.
It is only the second series of euro banknotes since the single currency’s launch on 1 January 1999.
The “Europa” series notes will be phased in over several years, starting with the five-euro note in May.
The notes will have new holograms and watermarks, but retain the arches, bridges and map featured currently.
The euro was formally launched on 1 January 1999 but did not enter circulation until 2002.
The goddess Europa has featured on some euro coins before.
In Greek mythology, Europa was a noble Phoenician woman whose beauty inspired the god Zeus to seduce her. He appeared to her as a white bull and carried her away to Crete. Later she bore Zeus three sons, one of whom, Minos, became ruler of Crete.
The image used on the five-euro note comes from a vase in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The vase is more than 2,000 years old and was found in southern Italy.
(source: BBC)
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