AMAZON HORSE ARCHER (warrior woman of the Amazons)
People and soldiers · warrior women from Greek mythology
- Foes
- Theseus
- Haunts and cult places
- Thermodon, Themiscyra, Zeleia
- In the sources
- 135 ancient passages
The Amazons were a warlike race of women, admired for their manly vigour and great skill in warfare, who lived in the region surrounding the river Thermodon.1,2,3 These fierce maidens formed virgin ranks, their frames labour-hardened and their knees never faint, for they seared their right breasts from infancy to allow ease of arm movement.4,5,6 Greeks called them Amazons because they were deprived of their breasts, while the Scythians referred to them by the name Oiorpata, which translates to killers of men.7,8
Clad in helmets, body coverings, and girdles made from the skins of wild animals, they possessed nothing but their arms and their horses.6,9 The Amazons favored using cavalry in their wars to an unusual degree, and the strongest among them spent much time hunting on horseback and practising warlike exercises.10,6 When at home, they performed ploughing, planting, and pasturing cattle, while loud pipes provided shrill accompaniment to their dance.6,11
Heracles defeated the Amazons in battle, prompting them to gather to seek revenge on Greeks for his previous campaign against them.12,13,14,15 The Amazons marched against the Athenians to punish them for Theseus enslaving their leader, a dispute involving Antiope.16,14 Theseus defeated the Amazons in a battle, surpassing them in bravery, while on another occasion an Amazon and her group arrived armed at a wedding to threaten the guests, including Theseus.16,17,18 Antiope was slain by a javelin thrown by Molpadia during an Amazon attack, and some Amazons were slain by Theseus during the battle.19,20,18,14
Penthesileia was identified as an Amazon and the child of the tireless War-god, accompanied by twelve other princesses who served as her handmaids.21,22 Penthesileia stated that Ares, not a mortal man, begat her, and rumour says the Amazon queen is a daughter of Ares.23,5 Penthesileia threw a second javelin at Aias while defying the two men, and she killed her sister Hippolyte accidentally while aiming a spear at a stag.23,24,25,22 Penthesileia was slain by Achilles, and the Amazons came from a distant land near the Tanaïs to aid Troy's cause.25,21,26,4 The Trojans viewed Penthesileia as resembling the Blessed Gods in her appearance, and she was described as far more beautiful and pre-eminent than her companions.22
No woman can compare with the Amazon queen in prowess, and the strength of the Amazons is not equal to that of Danaan men.5 The Amazons shot backwards at pursuers with good effect while in flight, and the spirit of the War-god constantly thrills them, making them endure all the toil of men.10,5 A band whose minds were set on war, they were admired for manly vigour and great skill in warfare, loathing all men and keeping the administration of magistracies and state affairs.27,11,1,2,28,7 The Amazons are said to have given their names to cities like Ephesus and Smyrna, and an Amazon is said to have given her name to the city of Cyme.29,30,31
The codex facts behind this entry
The Amazons were a warlike race of women admired for manly vigour and great skill in warfare. Apollodorus 2.5.9 +1 The Amazons are a band of warrior women whose minds are set on war. Aeneid 1.464 +1
Powers
The Amazons possessed great prowess in battle. Diodorus 3.71 +1
In the myths
Theseus defeated the Amazons in a battle, surpassing them in bravery. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.16 +5 The Amazons fought a battle against the Athenians on the day of Boedromion. Pausanias 1.15.2 +3 The Amazons are said to have given their names to cities like Ephesus and Smyrna. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶2 +3 Heracles defeated the Amazons in battle. Diodorus 4.16 +2 The Amazons marched against the Athenians to punish them for Theseus enslaving their leader, a dispute involving Antiope. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.16 +2 Bellerophon killed the Amazons during his third major battle. Apollodorus 2.3.2 +1 The Amazons sent a military expedition across the sea to invade the territory of Attica. Herodotus 9.27.4 +1 The Amazons defeated the Greeks on the Thermodon and sailed away in three ships with captives. Herodotus 4.110.1 +1 Penthesileia threw a second javelin at Aias while defying the two men. Quintus 1 ¶24 +1 Priam and Bellerophon launched an expedition against the invading Amazons. Strabo 12.3.24 +1
Fate
Antiope was slain by a javelin thrown by Molpadia during an Amazon attack. Pausanias 1.2.1 +1 Some Amazons were slain by Theseus during the battle. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.17 +1 The Amazon Penthesileia was slain by Achilles. Apollodorus, Epitome 5.1 +1
