Ganymede was a beautiful youth, often described as the most handsome of mortals. He was the son of Tros, the king of Troy, and a member of a noble and respected family. His beauty was so striking that it captured the attention of Zeus, the king of the gods. One day, as Ganymede was tending to his flocks on Mount Ida (near Troy), Zeus became enamored with him. There are different versions of how Zeus took Ganymede, but the most famous and widespread account says that Zeus transformed into a majestic eagle and descended from Mount Olympus. In the form of this powerful bird, Zeus swooped down, lifted Ganymede into the sky, and brought him to Olympus. Once Ganymede arrived in Olympus, Zeus made him the cupbearer to the gods, a prestigious position that involved serving nectar and ambrosia, the food and drink of the gods. In this role, Ganymede replaced Hebe, the daughter of Zeus and Hera, who had previously held the position. Zeus bestowed immortality upon Ganymede as a token of his affection. In some versions of the myth, Zeus also gave Tros, Ganymede’s father, a pair of immortal horses as compensation for the loss of his son, to show that Ganymede was now in the care of the gods.