Astrea

(Astre′a), mother of Nemesis, was the godde of justice; she returned to heaven when the earth became corrupt. “... Chaste Astrea fled, And sought protection in her native sky.” John Hughes. A talant a (Atalan′ta) was daughter of Caeneus. The oracle told her that marriage would be fatal to her, but, being very beautiful, she had many suitors. She was a very swift runner, and, to get rid of her admirers, she promised to marry any one of them who should outstrip her in a race, but that all who were defeated should be slain. Hippo menes, however, with the aid of Venus, was succe ful. That godde gave him three golden apples, one of which he dropped whenever A talant a caught up to him in the race. She stopped to pick them up, and he was victorious and married her. They were both afterward turned into lions by Cybele, for profaning her temple.