Atalanta and Athletic Myths of Gender

Abstract In view of the general exclusion of women as competitors, the legend of “swiftfooted, noble Atalanta” as an indomitable athlete stands out as an exceptionally problematic narrative appearing early and often in Greek literature and art. She was, in the Boeotian or central Greek version of the myth, daughter of a certain Schoeneus, who lived as a virgin huntress, despising sex but agreed to marry the suitor who defeated her in a footrace. Hippomenes (also called Meilanion) won her by the stratagem of throwing golden apples, supplied by Aphrodite, In her path to delay her as she stopped to collect them. The newlyweds make love in a sanctuary and are metamorphosed Into lions by some divinity—Zeus, Cybele, or Artemis. In the Arcadian, or southern Greek version of the story, Atalanta Is exposed as an Infant, is suckled by a bear, becomes a man-hating huntress, and Is ultimately won by Meilanion In a footrace.