Atalanta

Atalanta, the daughter of Schoeneus, King of Scyros, was, according to Greek legend, famous for her swiftness of foot. She promised to give her hand to any one who could outrun her, on condition that all defeated candidates should suffer death.

Undeterred by the fate of previous suitors, Hippo-. menes entered the lists, but Aphrodite had furnished. him with three golden apples which he dropped, one by one when he felt himself hard pressed. The maiden delayed in order to pick up the rolling gold, and was beaten, but took her defeat very kindly. Mixed up with this heroine is another Atalanta of Arcadia, who, exposed as an infant on Mount Parthenius, was suckled by a she-bear and became the mother of Parthenopaeus. Milanion was the name of her successful suitor.