The derivation of the word Europe is uncertain. It may come from a Phoenician word meaning “the west” or another meaning “of a white or fair aspect”. It has nothing to do with the mythical maiden Europa who was abducted from Phoenicia (the region around modern Lebanon) by Jupiter disguised as a bull: she rode on his back to Crete where in due course she gave birth to Minos. Homer used the word Europe to define the area around Greece.