Atalanta

By Crusader1307

In Greek Mythology, ''Atalanta'' would best be described as ''Mortal'' with attributes of a ''Demi-God''. According to her Legend, when born, Her Father disowned Her (wishing for a Male Child instead). As was custom in Ancient Greece, such ''unwanted Children'', were ''Exposed'' (left to the elements, unattended). This was an obvious ''Death Sentence''. Left on a Mountain, a Female Bear found Atalanta. Having lost Her own Cubs to Hunters, The Bear ''adopted'' the orphaned Babe. Raising Her, around age 5, the very same Hunters that killed The Bear's Cubs, found Atalanta and took Her back to ''Civilization'' Later. It was found that Atalanta had ''great speed'' in running foot races. This was seen as a boon. As a ''Beautiful, Virgin Woman''.....many Men tried to best Her in Races (for the obvious). She was unbeatable. Shown in Greek Literature as being the only Woman, allowed to serve with Jason and His legendary Crew of ''Argonauts'', she would be found in several other Greek Epics. Her ''end'' would come in yet another foot race. The King Pellus hoped to best Her, as a means of ''taking Her''. But, it seems that Atalanta did not make the proper offering to the Goddess Aphrodite. So ''snubbed'', Te Goddess turned the Girl into a ''Lioness''. It was commonly believed among The Greeks that Lions (as a Species), did not mate with one another (preferring to couple with Leopards, instead). As such, Atalanta's ''virginity'' and immortality was so ''sealed''.