I wanna take a moment to appreciate all the Arcadian women in Greek mythology. They’re certainly not Amazons but Arcadian women are built different.
You have Atalanta, of course. Black sheep rebel of her family, famous Argonaut, wrestled Peleus for the hell of it, killed two centaurs by herself, and landed the world’s sweetest boi for a husband.
And she’s hardly the only one. Despite having 50 brothers, it’s Callisto who secures the future of Arcadia through having Arcas. Even as far back as the Iliad Agapenor owes his existence to her.
Maia raised not one but two sons of Zeus all by herself. Peak single mom, she and Sally Jackson would be the best of friends
Meliboea (Pelasgus’s wife, and Metis’s sister) was once courted by the river god Orentes (maybe, it might’ve been her but it might’ve been another Meliboea). He stopped his waters caused a massive flood for her and she went “Buzz off, creep, I’m happy with the man I got. Don’t question my choices I am the Queen”
Arcas’s wife Erato was a working woman. She was a Queen AND a priestess, which I know was more common than people care to admit but that’s still cool!! She was such an important priestess to Pan that she’s called his oracle and I think the keeper of his eternal flame. Which means she probably would’ve been one of the highest religious authorities in the entire kingdom
In one of Euripides’s lost plays, Auge was prepared to raise her son completely on her own. And even had the nerve to point out to….either Athena or Aleus, how hypocritical it is that they rejoice in war bur are appalled that she gave birth in a temple.
I forget all their names but all the Lykaiides that deliberately defied Kronos and raised little Zeus in secret on Mount Lykaon. I can’t imagine how terrified they must’ve been every day until the Titanomachy finally happened.
And Chelone, who was so antisocial and lazy that she refused to go to Zeus and Hera’s wedding and she got turned into a turtle for it. Probably one of the weirdest and tamest punishments ever. And now she’s just living her best life as a turtle and she can avoid people all she wants by literally staying in her shell. She’s an inspiration to introverts everywhere.
Arcadian women, man, I love them all so much
