The beginning of Atalanta’s life was not a happy story. Her father, King Iasus, wanted a son and was disappointed when a daughter was born instead. He abandoned baby Atalanta on a mountain top in Arcadia and left her to die.

Luckily for Atalanta, a mother bear found her and raised her. She lived with the bear until hunters found and raised her.

Atalanta grew up to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. Thanks to her upbringing in the wilderness, she also became a great hunter, much like her patron goddess, Artemis. Atalanta could outrun and out-wrestle any man.

Atalanta proved her abilities when she took part in the Calydonian Boar Hunt. Artemis, angry about a forgotten sacrifice, sent the Calydonian Boar to destroy Calydon. The king called the bravest hunters to find the boar.

At the time, no one wanted to fight alongside a woman. But the king’s son, Meleager, was in love with Atalanta and agreed to let her join the hunt. Atalanta was the first to spot the boar, and when it was killed, Meleager gave her credit.

Atalanta was famous after the Calydonian boar hunt. Her father found her and brought her to live with him. Atalanta had no wish to marry, but her father said she must. She could run like the wind, so Atalanta agreed to marry a man only if he could outrun her. Any man who lost would die. Many men came to race Atalanta, however no one could beat her.

Finally, Melanion came along. He asked the goddess Aphrodite for help, and she gave him three irresistible golden apples to distract Atalanta. During the race, whenever Atalanta was winning, Melanion would throw a golden apple, and Atalanta would run after it.

Atalanta was such a fast runner that the race was still not easy. But using the golden apples, Melanion won the race. The two married and lived happily ever after.