Atalanta

A huntress and heroine of the Calydonian boar hunt. Atalanta (Ἀταλάντη) was the daughter of Iasus, king of either Tegaea or Maenalus, by Clymene the daughter of Minyas. The Boeotians believed she was a daughter of Schoeneus, son of Athamas, and king of Boeotia Orchomenus. Others say that there are two Atalantas with identical histories. Whatever is the truth, it would be best to treat it as only one.

Early Adventures

Her father wanted a son, so he had the infant exposed in the forest. A bear suckled the infant until Artemis sent hunters to rescue her. These old hunters raised her as their own child. As Atalanta grew to adulthood, she enjoyed hunting so much that she wanted to remain unwedded and virgin like the goddess Artemis. She could outshoot anyone with the bow. She was also the most fleet-footed mortal alive, with the exception of Euphemus and Iphiclus of Phylace.

When still young, she killed two centaurs, Rhoecus and Hylaeüs (Hyaelus) who had attempted to rape her. In a couple of accounts (eg. in Diodorus Siculus' account), she sailed with the Argonauts, but the usual story was that Jason and the other crew refused to allow her to participate in the quest. During the funeral games of Pelias, she defeated Peleus in a wrestling match.

When Atalanta was hunting near the cave of Asclepius (Cyphanta?), she was exhausted and very thirsty, but there were no water nearby. She struck a rock with her javelin and a new spring of water sprouted out.

Her greatest adventure was when Atalanta joined together with other heroes in the Calydonian Boar Hunt.

• Calydonian Boar Hunt

• Suitors of Atalanta

---

Calydonian Boar Hunt

Oeneus (Oineus), king of Calydon, insulted the goddess Artemis by not sacrificing to her. Artemis sent a giant boar that ravaged the countryside. The Calydonian Boar was destroying farms and killing people. The king sent news to heroes throughout Greece that he requests warriors to kill the boar. He offered to anyone who first drew blood on the boar, the hide of the boar as a prize.

The greatest boar hunt was led by Meleager, his son by Althaea (Althaia), daughter of Thestius. Many heroes who sailed the Argo with Jason also joined the hunt. See the genealogy of House of Calydon.

Some of the hunters, especially Meleager's uncles, protested against allowing Atalanta to hunt with them. But Meleager, who fell madly in love with Atalanta, allowed her to participate. During the hunt the boar killed several hunters. Peleus accidentally killed Eurytion, his father-in-law, with his spear. Some more were wounded. Nestor barely escaped alive. Atalanta drew first blood with her arrow, while Amphiaraüs drew second blood. Meleager finally killed the boar. Meleager awarded the boar's hide to Atalanta.

This action outraged his uncles, resulting in a deadly quarrel between the young hero and his mother's brothers. Althaea's brothers took the boar hide from Atalanta. In a rage, Meleager killed his uncles.

When Meleager was an infant, his mother Althaea learned that her son would die if the burning stick in the fireplace was totally consumed. Althaea put out the fire and safely hid the stick. But Althaea's grief over brothers' death was so great that she caused the death of her own son by burning the stick she had hidden. When Meleager died, Althaea committed suicide.

A different version (Catalogues of Women) said that Apollo killed Meleager during the war between the Calydonians and the Curetes.

Some said that Atalanta had a son by Meleager named Parthenopaeüs (Parthenopaeus), one of the seven champions who fought in the ill-fated war against Thebes.

For a fuller account of the Calydonian Boar Hunt and the life of Meleager, I would suggest that you read the Calydonian Boar Hunt.

---

Suitors of Atalanta

Atalanta's father happily received his daughter when he learnt of her heroic deeds. He wanted his daughter to marry. Atalanta, who wanted to remain a virgin like the huntress/goddess Artemis, devised a clever way of avoiding marriage.

She agreed to marry the man who could best her in a foot race. If her suitor lost the race, she would sever off his head. Since no mortal but Euphemus or Iphiclus of Phylace could out-run her, many headless bodies littered the racetrack. Despite this, many young suitors still tried to win her hand. Atalanta normally ran in full armour. She would also give each of her suitors a head start. If she overtook the unfortunate suitor, she would take off his head with her sword.

But she was never able to remain a virgin. Aphrodite helped one of the suitors named Hippomenes or Melanion by giving him three golden apples. During the race, before Atalanta could overtake him, he would throw an apple to one side or another. Each time Atalanta would be distracted enough to take the time to pick up the apple. The last apple was thrown so far off the race track that by the time she picked up the last apple, it became impossible for even her to win the race.

Happily, Atalanta decided to marry her resourceful suitor. Unfortunately, their marriage was short-lived. They had forgotten to thank Aphrodite, so Aphrodite caused Atalanta and her new husband to defile the temple of Cybele by making love before the altar. The angry goddess turned Atalanta and her new husband into lions, and Cybele had the two lions harnessed to her chariot.

Some say that Atalanta gave birth to Parthenopaeüs (Parthenopaeus) by her husband, the hero Meleager or the god of war, Ares.