Incidents in the background seem to illustrate the life of Adonis. However, the main figures may be Hippomenes and Atalanta, whose story Ovid links with that of Adonis.

The virgin huntress Atalanta used to challenge her suitors to race with her. Hippomenes won the race (and Atalanta) by throwing down golden apples as he ran, which had been given to him by Venus.