1 of 2

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

Meleager's life.

With the love of her life now dead, Atalanta returned to her father, be it Iasus or Schoeneus, who now had a daughter to be proud of. Her father then sought to do his duty in finding his daughter a husband. Atalanta though had no desire to be married, seeing it as a betrayal of Meleager, and also heading the warnings of the Oracle or marital disaster. Atalanta designed a test to aid her avoid marriage, Atalanta would only marry a suitor who could beat her in a foot race, if any suitor failed in the test they would be executed. Atalanta believed that suitors would be put off as she was known as one of the fastest of all mortals. Atalanta's beauty though was enticing and soon many suitors had been outrun and executed.

Then a suitor called Melanion, also known as Hippomenes, fell in love with Atalanta. Knowing though he could not beat Atalanta in a fair foot race, Melanion prayed to the goddess Aphrodite for assistance. Aphrodite in her weakness for lovers provided Melanion with three golden apples, or quince, and a plan to win. During the race when Atalanta was ahead, Melanion was to role an apple to distract Atalanta. As Atalanta stopped to pick up the apple, Melanion would overtake and eventually with the role of the last apple, Melanion won the race and Atalanta's hand in marriage.

Melanion though forgot to sacrifice to Aphrodite for his success, and the angered goddess sought her revenge. The newly married couple of Atalanta and Melanion, sought to consummate their marriage, and Aphrodite tricked them into giving into their desires in a shrine to Zeus. An outraged Zeus turned the lovers into lions, a poetic punishment as Greek believed that lions could only mate with leopards and not their own species.

The only mystery surrounding Atalanta is that she bore a son, though still apparently a virgin. Atalanta bore a son, Parthenopeus, though the father is not known, Meleager and Melanion were with Atalanta for only short periods of time. The father is therefore often credited to be the god Ares. Embarrassed by the illegitimate son, Atalanta abandoned the child just as her father had deserted her, though Parthenopeus grew up to be a hero just like his mother.

Learn more about this author, Tim Harry.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Greek mythology: Atlanta?
We want to hear your view. Write now!