According to the myth, Ganymede was the son of the Trojan king Tros. At a young age, he was seen and desired by Zeus, who desired to make him his lover. To achieve this, Zeus transformed himself into an eagle and swooped down from Mount Olympus to grab Ganymede and carry him away to the heavens.
In some versions of the myth, Ganymede willingly ascended to Olympus and was welcomed as a beloved companion to Zeus. In other versions, he was taken against his will and Zeus granted his father and kingdom many favours in exchange for Ganymede's release. Regardless, he was granted immortality by Zeus and became a divine figure in Greek mythology, known for his eternal beauty and charm.
In art, Ganymede is frequently depicted in scenes where he is either sitting at the feet of Zeus, pouring him wine, or being carried away by the eagle-form of Zeus. His iconic image has been reproduced in countless works of art, from classical statues and paintings to more contemporary depictions.
Ganymede's story also holds significance in astronomy, where one of Jupiter's moons is named after him. The moon Ganymede is the largest moon in the entire Solar System, dwarfing even the planet Mercury in size. Its discovery in the 17th century further solidified the mythical figure's place in astronomical history.