Atalanta

Atalanta, abandoned at birth by her royal father who desired a son, was saved by Artemis through a nursing bear until hunters found her. Warned by prophecy against marriage, she devoted herself to hunting, once killing two centaurs who attacked her.

She gained fame at the Calydonian boar hunt, where she struck first blood and earned the hide from the love-struck Meleager who killed the beast. Some say she joined Jason's Argonauts, though others claim she was refused for fear of causing discord.

When her father later demanded she marry, Atalanta set a deadly challenge: suitors must outrun her or die trying. Hippomenes won with Aphrodite's help, using golden apples to distract Atalanta during the race. Though they married and had a son, they ultimately angered Aphrodite, who transformed them into lions.