What is the story of Atalanta all about?
In the most famous story, one popular with ancient and modern artists, Atalanta offered to marry anyone who could outrun her—but those whom she overtook she speared. 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.
Who did Atalanta say she would marry?
Hippomenes
One day, a boy named Hippomenes asked for her hand in marriage. Atalanta liked him, but she told him that she would marry him only if he could beat her in a race. She knew that could never happen. Hippomenes looked for help from the goddess of love, Aphrodite.
What is the story of Atalanta and Hippomenes?
Atalanta is a kick-butt female hunter, which is kind of a rare thing back in ancient Greece. Though she does her best to stay a virgin, Atalanta is eventually forced to marry a sneaky dude named Hippomenes who beats her in a footrace. Hippomenes throws golden apples, which he got from Aphrodite, behind him as he runs.
How was Atalanta finally married?
Atalanta was finally forced to marry when her father found her again. She tested her suitors with a high-stakes footrace, but finally lost to Hippomenes when he enlisted the aid of Aphrodite. Their marriage ended tragically when, after being slighted by Hippomenes, Atalanta and her husband were turned into lions.
What is the central idea of Atalanta?
What is a theme of “Atalanta, the Fleet-Footed Huntress”? A life’s goal is to live happily ever after. Some prizes aren’t worth winning. How one behaves is more important than one’s gender.
What did Atalanta’s father do when he figured out Atalanta was a girl?
Thanks to her growing fame, Atalanta’s father decided that, actually, he wanted his daughter after all. He formally acknowledged her, then exercised his paternal right to marry her off. Atalanta, enraged, said that first her suitors would have to beat her in a footrace. If they lost, they would be put to death.
Why does Hippomenes pray to Venus?
Atalanta raced all her suitors and outran all but Hippomenes, who defeated her by cunning, not speed. Hippomenes knew that he could not win a fair race with Atalanta, so he prayed to Aphrodite for help (the goddess, in the meantime, disliked Atalanta’s neglect of love).
Who killed Atalanta?
Grown to womanhood, Atalanta kept herself a virgin, and hunting in the wilderness she remained always under arms. The Kentauroi (Centaurs) Rhoikos (Rhoecus) and Hylaios (Hylaeus) tried to force her, but were shot down and killed by her.” Callimachus, Hymn 3 to Artemis 206 ff (trans.
What did acrisius do to try to keep the prophecy of his death from being fulfilled?
What did Acrisius do to try to keep the prophecy of his death from being fulfilled? He set his daughter and her child adrift at sea in a sealed chest. In a competition, Perseus throws a discus that goes astray and hits Acrisius in the head, killing him.
What is a theme of Atalanta the fleet footed huntress?
What is a theme of “Atalanta, the Fleet-Footed Huntress”? A life’s goal is to live happily ever after. Some prizes aren’t worth winning.
