Plato's Atalanta: The Soul of an Athlete in the Myth of Er.

This article examines the role and significance of the heroine Atalanta in the Myth of Er, a narrative found in the tenth book of Plato's Republic, which explores the soul's afterlife choices and reincarnation. Among eight mythological figures selecting new lives, Atalanta uniquely occupies the middle position and chooses a male athletic destiny, reflecting a gender transformation linked to her past as a distinguished female athlete. Unlike others who opt for animal forms or human lives shaped by past sufferings, Atalanta's choice reveals an incomplete understanding of her fate, as she repeats the same attraction to honors and prizes that previously led to her downfall. The article situates Atalanta's selection in contrast with other figures—such as Epeius, who also undergoes a gender change but embraces a craftswoman's life, and Odysseus, who wisely chooses a modest human existence—highlighting themes of gender, identity, and the consequences of past experiences in Plato's eschatological vision.