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Greek mythology was full of heroes whose lives were entangled with those of the gods. One such hero was Cadmus, legendary founder of the great city of Thebesancient Egyptian city on the Nile River.

Cadmus and his brothers were sent by their father, the king of Phoenicia, to locate their sister Europa. She had been carried away by Zeusin Greek mythology, king of the gods and husband of Hera (Roman god Jupiter), disguised as a bull. Unable to find Europa, Cadmus sought advice from the oraclepriest or priestess or other creature through whom a god is believed to speak; also the location (such as a shrine) where such words are spoken at Delphi. He was told to found a city, which later became known as Thebes. He then killed a serpent (or dragon) and...