Bold p***o on the euro note?

There has been another interesting cultural twist to the 'Europe debate'. Someone has called out that it watermark of the new series of euro banknotes will include a picture of 'the rape of Europe' by the Greek supreme god Zeus. The anti-Europe and anti-Greeks in the various timelines need no more to frame the banking mafia's conspiracy against European citizens.

Enough of that. I was just wondering how it could suddenly be about the 'rape' of Europe, when I was always taught that the mythological chief god Zeus, promiscuous as he was, seduced and kidnapped (cheated) Europa, after which he fathered two or three children with her on Crete. No word on rape or mutual consent in the myth, just a juicy mention of the rage of Zeus' deceived wife, Hera.

But we live in the times of Dominique Strauss Kahn and Van der Staaij, so voluntary or non-consensual sex and the possibility of pregnancy and wrong dignitaries are in fashion, so of course Europe was raped by Zeus.

Hardcore porn on your money. It shouldn't get any crazier.

Add to that wikipedia says. At first glance. But only there, because all other reflections on the citizen encyclopaedia speak of 'kidnapping'. In all languages, by the way. Except in one place: on dhe Dutch page on the abduction of Europa by Zeus is a small picture of a painting by Rubens, who painted Europa lying on the back of the bull Zeus, and there we suddenly see a caption that speaks of 'Rape'. But that is not the title that painter himself gave it, or that can be found in other languages. One time click on the link says. Indeed, the Spanish (given by Rubens) title reads: 'El Rapto de Europa', which the English version correctly translates as 'The Abduction of Europa‘.

But yes.

Rapto looks like rape (rape), and so the mistake is easily made. But 'rapto' can also be read as rape only in a distant sense: verduction or rapture and abduction are more obvious meanings.

What Zeus did after that abduction, and whether Europe agreed, we don't know. But I do give the eurosceptics a tip. The Greek supreme god abducting, or enrapturing, Europe is a much nicer and stronger image to get your message across with than the unimaginative and violent 'rape', and besides, the picture so does not show it.

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