Hippomenes

Greek mythology

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June 29, 2026

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In Greek mythology, Hippomenes was the successful suitor of Atalanta, a swift-footed huntress. Atalanta had vowed to marry only the man who could defeat her in a footrace, with the penalty for losing being death. Hippomenes, with the aid of three golden apples given to him by the goddess Aphrodite, managed to distract Atalanta during their race. As she stopped to pick up the apples, Hippomenes overtook her, winning the race and her hand in marriage. Their union, however, led to them being transformed into lions for making love in a shrine.12

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Atalanta
In one race Hippomenes (or Milanion) was given three of the golden apples of the Hesperides by the goddess Aphrodite; when he dropped them, Atalanta stopped to pick them up and so lost the race. Their son was Parthenopaeus, who later was one of the Seven who fought…
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In one race Hippomenes (or Milanion) was given three of the golden apples of the Hesperides by the goddess Aphrodite; when he dropped them, Atalanta stopped to pick them up and so lost the race. Their son was Parthenopaeus, who later was one of the Seven who fought…
Read More