13 Facts About Atalanta

In both versions, Atalanta was a local figure allied to the goddess Artemis; in such oral traditions, minor characters were often assigned different names, resulting in minor regional variations.

At birth, Atalanta was taken to Mount Parthenion to be exposed because her father had desired a son.

Atalanta then grew up to be a swift-footed virgin who eschewed men and devoted herself to the huntress Artemis.

Atalanta modelled herself after Artemis, wearing a simple sleeveless tunic that reached her knees and living in the wilderness.

Atalanta is only occasionally mentioned in the legend of the Argonauts; however, her participation is noted in Pseudo-Apollodorus's account, which says that during the search for the Golden Fleece, Atalanta, who was invited and invoked the protection of Artemis, sailed with the Argonauts as the only woman among them.

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In Diodorus Siculus's account, Atalanta is not only noted to have sailed with the Argonauts but to have fought alongside them at the battle in Colchis, where she, Jason, Laertes, and the sons of Thesipae were wounded and later healed by Medea.

Atalanta was called upon to join Meleager, Theseus, Pollux, Telamon, Peleus, and all those who were part of the Argonaut expedition on the hunt for the boar.

Many of the men were angry that a woman was joining them, but Meleager, though having a family of his own, convinced them otherwise as he desired to father a child with Atalanta after hearing of her expertise in archery and beauty while hunting.

Atalanta'sfather agreed to the terms, and many suitors died in the attempt until Hippomenes, who fell in love with Atalanta at first sight.

Aphrodite, who felt spurned because Atalanta was a devotee of Artemis and rejected love, gave Hippomenes three irresistible golden apples.

Atalanta bore a son, Parthenopaios, who became one of the Seven against Thebes.

Version of Atalanta's story appears in the multimedia children's entertainment project Free to Be.

Atalanta is at far left with bow; Meleager is right of her, spearing the Calydonian boar .