Even though Europa and the Bull was a floor pavement, its illusionistic architectural detail makes it look like a ceiling decoration. Six female heads appear to rest on brackets placed high on a wall and these heads, in turn, appear to support a cornice. A luxurious garland of leaves and ribbons and an elaborate molding frame the central image. Greek mythology tells of Europa, a princess who came upon a beautiful white bull while she was gathering flowers by the seaside. Since the bull was uncommonly gentle, Europa decorated his horns with flowers and climbed upon his back. The bull, who was actually the god Zeus in disguise, plunged into the sea and swam away with Europa still clinging to his back. When they reached the Island of Crete, Zeus reverted to his true form and took Europa as his lover. Although the lower portion of the mosaic has been restored, we can imagine how the sea might have looked as the bull plowed through the waves, and Europa's wind-blown mantel formed an arch over her head.