HIPPOMENES (challenger of Atalanta)

Hippomenes challenged Atalanta to a race after she defeated other suitors, knowing that victory in the contest was required to secure the marriage.^3,4,5,6 He offered Atalanta an honorable name if she defeated him.³ A large crowd of people gathered around the scene, encouraging Hippomenes to run faster and win the contest.^6,7

During the race, Hippomenes threw the first apple, causing Atalanta to turn and grab it.^8,9 He passed the virgin after she stopped to pick up the first apple.⁹ He then threw a second apple to the ground, which caused her to stop again.^8,9 Finally, he threw the third apple obliquely near the finish line, making her return slowly.^8,9 By throwing this final apple, he escaped death and a dark destiny, outrunning her to win the prize.^9,8 He followed lightly on his feet throughout the contest, standing panting after the race concluded.⁸

Victory in the contest would allow him to escape death and return to his native land.⁵ As part of the reward, he received swift-footed horses, and the gods were asked to grant him splendid children.⁵ Atalanta expressed a desire to share a bed with him, considering him worthy of living a long life.¹ They became lovers, and their union produced a son named Parthenopeus.

Yet their happiness was short-lived, for Hippomenes was driven by a sudden, unseasonable desire to caress his wife in a sacred recess near a temple of Cybele.¹⁰ His necks were covered with yellow manes, and his fingers were bent into claws as part of his change.¹⁰ His shoulders were transformed into fore-legs, and his whole weight shifted into his breasts.¹⁰ His tails began to sweep the surface of the sand, and he became dreadful to others, resembling a lion.¹⁰ Both he and Atalanta had their looks filled with anger, and he began to utter growls instead of words.¹⁰ He came to haunt the woods instead of chambers.¹⁰ In another account, Agenor killed Hippomenes with a swift thrust between his shoulder and neck, and his soul rushed forth in blood.¹¹