Atalanta. After she was born the Arcadian princess was exposed in the woods to die, since her father didn't want a female child. She was soon found by a bear and raised by her as a wild and forest creature. After some time she was found by a group of hunters who adopted her, teaching her to hunt, run, ride and fight; she was fully devoted to Artemis. Soon fame of her beuty and ability to fight spread all over the country. She tried and take part to the Argonauts expedition but was refused on account of being a woman; she instead played a key role in the Calydonian hunt. A group of heroes such as Jason, Meleager, Nestor and Peleus (future father of Achilles) was put together to defeat a savage boar that roamed the lands of Calydon. Atalanta joined them and was the first to wound the giant boar thus giving Meleager the ability to kill him for good. Upon hearing about her deeds, Atalanta's father soon welcomed her back home. Since he wanted to leave the kingdom to a man, he insisted that Atalanta should marry even though she wasn't in least interested in the matter, devoted as she was to Artemis. In the end, she agreed to marry the man who could run faster than her, on condition that whoever lost would die. Many suitors tried, failed and died. Amongst the latest there was one named Hippomenes; having no desire to die and being in love with Atalanta, he asked Aphrodite for help. She gave him three golden apples to bring with him the day of the race. While running, Hippomenes let a golden apple roll on the ground and Atalanta stopped to pick it up and admire it, losing some of the advantage she had; as soon as she caught up with him, Hippomenes let another apple roll and once again Atalanta was tempted in picking it up. The same happened with the third golden apple, but then it was to late to catch up and Atalanta lost the run. True to her word, she married Hippomenes and in time grew to love him as much as he loved her.