Chapter Five
- Atalanta and the Golden Apples
Atalanta was a mortal who was abandoned at birth by her father who wanted a son. She didn’t want to marry, but she finally decided that any man who could beat her in a foot race could marry her. As for the people that lost against her- they died. Every day men lined up to challenge her, and every day men died. Aphrodite favored one of Atalanta’s suitors, so she gave him three golden apples. When they started to run, it was apparent that Atalanta was faster. The favored suitor threw a golden apple high over her head. When she stooped to admire it, he pulled ahead. Then, Atalanta started to run again. The suitor threw another golden apple high over Atalanta’s head. This went on until the suitor was out of apples. By that time, he had won the race.
Atalanta was a mortal who was abandoned at birth by her father who wanted a son. She didn’t want to marry, but she finally decided that any man who could beat her in a foot race could marry her. As for the people that lost against her- they died. Every day men lined up to challenge her, and every day men died. Aphrodite favored one of Atalanta’s suitors, so she gave him three golden apples. When they started to run, it was apparent that Atalanta was faster. The favored suitor threw a golden apple high over her head. When she stooped to admire it, he pulled ahead. Then, Atalanta started to run again. The suitor threw another golden apple high over Atalanta’s head. This went on until the suitor was out of apples. By that time, he had won the race.
