Matriarchal History and Archaeology *** The Amazons ***

Characteristics of the Amazons in ancient literature

he story about the Amazons was one of the most popular themes for Greek artists. There is a great number of pictures depicting Amazons.
Most of the Amazon pictures are scenes of fighting. Amazons were considered as very brave, daring and fearless combatants, therefore only the most famous Greek heroes as Heracles, Achilleus and Theseus were capable to defeat them. Very popular were scenes of the heroic fight between Heracles and Hippolyte - Queen of the Amazons, and the life-and-death struggle between Achilleus and Penthesilea at Troy. But Amazons were also desirable, so Antiope - Queen of the Amazons - was abducted by the Athenian hero Theseus.

Besides being courageous and bold, they were also looked upon as warriors with dignity. Amazons are never shown as cruel, perfidious or cowardly.
There are scenes of Amazons bringing in their injured comrades, risking their own life for helping others.

Herakles fighting against the Amazon Andromache

Amazon as helper An Amazon carrying an injured one from the battlefield.

The fortress of the Amazons.
This picture probably shows the famous town of the Amazons
Themiskyra.

Amazon taming a horse Amazon training a horse.
The Amazons were considered as skilled horsewomen.

An Amazon saying her prayers in front of an altar.

This picture shows the earliest, largely accepted representation of Amazons. It dates back to 700 BC. The two figures on the right side are interpreted as Amazons, at least they are female warriors, because little circles on the chest indicate their breasts. They are armed with spear and shield and they wear a long patterned gown and a very broad girdle.
Most probably it depicts the fight between Heracles and the Amazon Queen Hippolyte.

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Herakles fighting against the Amazon Andromache
	An Amazon carrying an injured one from the battlefield.
	The fortress of the Amazons. This picture probably shows the famous town of the Amazons Themiskyra.
	Amazon training a horse. The Amazons were considered as skilled horsewomen.
	An Amazon saying her prayers in front of an altar.
	This picture shows the earliest, largely accepted representation of Amazons. It dates back to 700 BC. The two figures on the right side are interpreted as Amazons, at least they are female warriors, because little circles on the chest indicate their breasts. They are armed with spear and shield and they wear a long patterned gown and a very broad girdle. Most probably it depicts the fight between Heracles and the Amazon Queen Hippolyte.