Key Points

- Swift-footed Princess known for her speed

- Only female Argonaut

- Drew first blood on the Calydonian Boar Hunt

Brief Bio

Atalanta is a renowned heroine in Greek mythology, celebrated for her speed, bravery, and skill. She was a swift and fierce huntress, raised by bears after being abandoned by her parents, and known for her exceptional hunting skills, agility and footspeed. 

She was a valued member of the Argonaut team that was assembled to help Jason on his quest for the Godlen Fleece. She particular stood out amongst her teammates as the lone female of the crew that featured such iconic Greek Heroes as Heracles and Theseus.

Atalanta challenged and outperformed many suitors, vowing to marry only a man who could beat her in a footrace—an offer she used to test her suitors' worth. She famously participated in the calydonian boar hunt, where her courage and marksmanship shone. 

Before her adventures, Atalanta had consulted an oracle who prophesied that marriage would be her undoing. As a result, she chose to live in the wilderness. After the Calydonian boar hunt, Atalanta was accepted by her family and gained aristocratic status; however, by social custom she was now expected to marry. To prevent this, she agreed to marry only if a suitor could outrun her in a footrace, which swift-footed Atalanta knew was impossible. If the suitor was unsuccessful, he would be killed.

Her father agreed to the terms, and many suitors died in the attempt until Hippomenes, who fell in love with Atalanta at first sight. Hippomenes knew he could not best Atalanta even with the advantage of a head start, so he prayed to the goddess Aphrodite for assistance. Aphrodite, who felt spurned because Atalanta was a devotee of Artemis and rejected love, provided him with three irresistible golden apples. As the race began, Atalanta quickly passed Hippomenes, but she was diverted off the path when he tossed an apple for her to retrieve; each time Atalanta caught up with Hippomenes, he would toss another apple, ultimately winning the race and Atalanta herself.

Atalanta bore a son, Parthenopeus (fathered by Melanion, Meleager or Ares), who became one of the Seven against Thebes.

After the footrace, Hippomenes forgot to thank Aphrodite for her aid, and while the couple were out hunting, the goddess afflicted them with such passion that performed sacrilegious acts in a sanctuary belonging to either Zeus or Rhea. They were turned into lions for their sacrilege by either Artemis, the goddess Cybele, or Zeus himself. The belief at the time was that lions could not mate with their own species, only with leopards; therefore Atalanta and Hippomenes would never know physical love again.