The New Student's Reference Work/Ganymede

Ganymede (gan′i-mēd), the cupbearer of Zeus, was, according to Homer, the son of King Tros. The most beautiful of mortals, he attracted the notice of the king of the gods, who determined to make him his cup bearer, to succeed Hebe, and so sent his eagle to carry him off to heaven. Zeus gave Tros a pair of divine horses to make up for his loss, and comforted him by telling him that Ganymede was now immortal. Ganymede was later believed to be the same god that presided over the Nile. The Greeks placed him among the stars, under the name of Aquarius or the water-bearer. Ganymede was a favorite subject of ancient art, and to some extent is a favorite also of modern art.