Atalanta-The Strongest Woman
Atalanta is said to be among the strongest heroes in Greek Mythology. As most could guess, with that great strength comes great stupidity. Atalanta was born of King Iasus but unfortunately was a girl. Atalanta was left to die at birth because her father wanted a son. By great surprise, a she-bear came and raised Atalanta as her own cub. It is said that hunters found her later on and ended up raising her as she grew up. We don't really hear from her again until the Calydonian Boar Hunt. The boar was a ravenous creature sent to demolish Calydon by Artemis. Artemis sent the boar because King Oineus forgot to mention him during a sacrifice for the gods. Seeing an opportunity to fight, Atalanta went straight to the City of Calydon. She drew first blood but Meleager, a man who was in love with her, managed to kill the boar. Due to his great love for Atalanta, Meleager offered up the boar's head and hide. Very mad, Meleager's uncles attempted to take the reminiscence of the boar from Atalanta but were killed in the act by Meleager.
The Footrace
After the boar hunt, Atalanta was reunited with her father. King Iasus wanted her to marry at once, but Atalanta did not want to so she thought of a way to get out of it. Atalanta challenged any man to a footrace and if the man won,he would be able to take her hand in marriage. However, if the man lost, he would be killed by Atalanta herself. Many took up the offer and many failed, until Hippomenes came along. Hippomenes brought three golden apples along with him on the race whom he got from the goddess Aphrodite. He rolled the first apple in front of Atalanta, but she quickly picked it up and caught up. The second apple went to the side of her and she went out of her way to get it but once again caught up. Hippomenes threw the third and final apple into the forest and Atalanta couldn't help but retrieve it. Aalanta lost the race and married Hippomenes
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Post Marriage
Soon after being married, Atalanta borne one son named Parthenopaeus. Parthenopaeus ended up being one of the seven against Thebes. It is said that Atalanta and her husband were turned into lions after making love in a shrine of Zeus. "Atalanta and her husband, overcome with passion, made love in a shrine of the goddess Cybele (or of Zeus), for which they were turned into lions."
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