Atalanta: Love or Worldly Success? A Greek myth depicting a modern tension

Atalanta was abandoned in the woods by her father because he wanted a son. A she-bear nursed her until hunters found her and raised her. Atalanta devoted herself to the goddess Artemis, vowed chastity and distinguished herself as an exceptional hunter and runner. She is even rumoured to have fought alongside the Argonauts and drawn first blood in a battle with the monstrous Calydonian Boar. Atalanta's fame grew until her father, a king, recognized and acknowledged her. He demanded that she marry, but according to Ovid, Atalanta had consulted an oracle who prophesied that marriage would be her undoing. So she told her father that she would only marry the one who could beat her in a foot race. Any who failed would be put to death. Many tried and lost their lives, until one man, Hippomenes, prayed to Aphrodite for help. He received an intriguing gift which enabled him to win the both race and Atalanta's love.

Many modern women find themselves caught between the affirming fulfilment of their career successes and an inner or outer pressure to make space for vulnerability and love in their personal lives. In this seminar, we will dive into the story of Atalanta and consider how the myth of this ancient heroine depicts an archetypal tension between success and love that many women confront.