Atalanta

In Greek mythology, an Arcadian huntress who challenged each of her suitors to a running race; losers were slain. The goddess Aphrodite gave Hippomenes (or Milanion), three golden apples to drop on the course. Atalanta, stopping to pick them up, lost the race and became his wife.

Aphrodite became offended when Hippomenes failed to honour her with an offering, so she tricked the couple into defiling a sacred place. Enraged by their behaviour, the earth goddess Cybele transformed them into a pair of lions and harnessed them to her chariot.

Early life Atalanta had been exposed at birth by her father Iasus who wanted a son. She was rescued by a female bear, and later became a votary serving the goddess Artemis. While taking part in the heroic Calydonian Boar hunt, organized by Meleager to kill a wild boar sent by Artemis, Iasus finally recognized Atlanta as his daughter.

Atalanta

Opera by Handel (libretto adapted from La caccia in Etolia by B Valeriani), first produced at Covent Garden, London, England, on 12 May 1736. It tells the story of the nymph Atalanta who is united with the shepherd king Meleager, in spite of her initial preference for the hunt and life in the woods.