In classical Greek mythology , Aquila was identified as Î ` Î Ï Ï Ï Î '' Î Î Ï ( Aetos Dios ) . He was the eagle that carried the thunderbolts of Zeus . In classical Greek mythology , Aquila was identified as Î ` Î Ï Ï Ï Î '' Î Î Ï ( Aetos Dios ) , the eagle that carried the thunderbolts of Zeus and was sent by him to carry the shepherd boy Ganymede , whom he desired , to Mount Olympus ; the constellation of Aquarius is sometimes identified with Ganymede .