Atalanta

Atalanta was abandoned at birth by her father, who wanted a son. She was suckled by a she-bear and raised by hunters, growing into the swiftest and most skilled huntress in Greece. She drew first blood against the monstrous Calydonian Boar and sailed with the Argonauts.

Reconciled with her father, she was pressured to marry. Atalanta declared she would only wed a man who could beat her in a footrace — losers would be executed. Many tried and died. Finally, Hippomenes prayed to Aphrodite, who gave him three golden apples.

During the race, Hippomenes threw the apples one by one. Atalanta, unable to resist their beauty, paused to pick them up, and lost by a step. They married, but later offended Zeus by making love in a sacred temple and were transformed into lions.