Conveyed to heaven

For the sake of his beauty Zeus caught the golden-haired Ganymedes up on an eagle, and ever since he is the cupbearer of the gods in heaven, being honoured by the OLYMPIANS as he draws the red Nectar from the bowl.

Missed by his father

Some say that Ganymedes was caught not by an eagle but by a heaven-sent whirlwind. But the grief of his father Tros ₁ (after whom the Trojans are called) was so substantial that Zeus gave him some remarkable horses as recompense for his son. And Zeus also sent Hermes to tell Tros ₁, by way of consolation, that Ganymedes would now be deathless and unageing, as are the gods.

The Mares of Laomedon ₁

The fine mares that Zeus gave to Tros ₁ or to King Laomedon ₁ of Troy caused the first sack of the city. For Laomedon ₁'s daughter Hesione ₂ was exposed as a prey to be devoured by a sea-monster, and Heracles ₁ promised to save her on condition of receiving the famous mares from Laomedon ₁. When the king agreed, Heracles ₁ killed the monster and saved the girl. But Laomedon ₁ refused to give the stipulated reward, and Heracles ₁, with only six ships and a little army, sacked the city of Troy about one generation before the great Trojan War.

Constellation

According to some the constellation Aquarius (Water Bearer) is Ganymedes, who is seen as pouring water from an urn, whereas the eagle that caught him is now the constellation Aquila (Eagle). But others tell quite different tales concerning these CONSTELLATIONS.