# Atalanta explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

Atalanta, a maiden who fled from marriage due to a prophecy, challenges suitors to a race where losers face death. Hippomenes, aided by Venus's golden apples, wins the race and marries her. Their ingratitude to Venus leads to their transformation into lions by Cybele.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Transformation

The love between Atalanta and Hippomenes leads to their transformation into lions as punishment for ingratitude.

### Hubris and Divine Retribution

The couple's forgetfulness to honor Venus results in divine punishment through Cybele.

## Character check-ins

### Atalanta

The maiden who imposes a deadly race on suitors, eventually defeated by Hippomenes.

### Hippomenes

The youth who wins Atalanta's hand with Venus's golden apples.

### Venus

Goddess who aids Hippomenes with golden apples but later punishes the couple for ingratitude.

### Cybele

Goddess who transforms Atalanta and Hippomenes into lions for offending her.

## Key lines

> Atalanta, do not marry; marriage will be your ruin.

A prophecy warns Atalanta that marriage will bring her destruction.

_The oracle's warning sets the stage for Atalanta's avoidance of marriage._

> I will be the prize of him who shall conquer me in the race; but death must be the penalty of all who try and fail.

Atalanta offers herself as a prize to anyone who can outrun her, but losers face execution.

_The harsh condition she imposes on suitors._

> Help me, Venus, for you have led me on.

Hippomenes prays to Venus for assistance in the race.

_His plea for divine aid._

> She took from them their human form and turned them into animals of characters resembling their own: of the huntress-heroine, triumphing in the blood of her lovers, she made a lioness, and of her lord and master a lion.

Cybele transforms Atalanta and Hippomenes into a lioness and lion, reflecting their former natures.

_The punishment for their ingratitude to Venus._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/atalanta
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters