Crete macrocarpa" forest in Europe. Samaria Gorge is a World Biosphere Reserve and Richtis Gorge is protected for its landscape diversity. Crete has a rich mythology mostly connected with the ancient Greek Gods but also connected with the Minoan civilisation. According to Greek Mythology, The Diktaean Cave at Mount Dikti was the birthplace of the god Zeus. The Paximadia islands were the birthplace of the goddess Artemis and the god Apollo. Their mother, the goddess Leto, was worshipped at Phaistos. The goddess Athena bathed in Lake Voulismeni. The ancient Greek god Zeus launched a lightning bolt at a giant lizard that
Achaeus (son of Xuthus) Achaeus (son of Xuthus) In Greek mythology, Achaeus or Achaios (; Ancient Greek: Ἀχαιός "Akhaiós", derived from "αχος" "achos", "grief, pain, woe") was, according to nearly all traditions, a son of Xuthus and Creusa, and consequently a brother of Ion and grandson of Hellen. Servius alone calls Achaeus a son of Jupiter (Zeus) and Pithia, probably a misspelling of Phthia, who was otherwise known as the daughter of Phoroneus compare the account of Clement. His children were Archander and Architeles. The Achaeans regarded him as the author of their race, and derived from him their own name as well as