The myth of the Amazons, warrior women

The myth of the Amazons has a special charm: There are those who think that they actually existed. There are several historical accounts, and not just mythological ones, in which they are mentioned. In fact, these characters not only appear in Greek narratives, but in stories from many parts of the world.

Characters like Herodotus, Marco Polo and several fathers of the Catholic Church speak about them as if they were real beings. Likewise, in the stories of Christopher Columbus and Hernán Cortés, reference is made to towns made up entirely of warrior women.

They are mentioned in places as diverse as Greece, Iran, Libya, Mexico and, of course, in the Amazon area, between Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru. Howeverthe myth of the Amazons as such has its origin in classical Greece.

The myth of the Amazons

The myth of the Amazons indicates that these women were ordinary mortals and the classic version places them in the Caucasus region. What characterized them was the fact that they had formed a town inhabited only by women. who were self-governed and fond of war.

They appear in several passages in Greek mythology, facing the great heroes like Achilles and Hercules. In all cases they were always defeated by the Greeks, but they feared them for their fierceness and courage.

As expected, these women did not recognize, much less worship, any male god. The myth of the Amazons says that They only worshiped the goddess Artemis who, like them, was a free womanlover of nature, adventure and animal hunting.

The customs of the Amazons

The Amazons were unusual women, who did not want to have male dominance over them and, therefore, kept very strict customs in this regard. People say that At birth their right breast was mutilated so that they would not have problems shooting the bow and arrow.

The myth of the Amazons also indicates that they did not allow any men to live on their lands, although the most powerful ones had servants. To prevent his race from becoming extinct, The Amazons traveled once a year for two months to where the Gargareans lived..

It is said that they had sex with them by force. They kidnapped these men and forced them to procreate with women who were of childbearing age.. If a girl was born later, they kept her; If a boy was born, they abandoned him or mutilated him so that he could live in his kingdom.

It is also said that Alexander the Great was visited by Thalestris, one of the Amazons, when he conquered part of Asia. She was accompanied by a procession of 300 other Amazons and the objective was to procreate with the great warrior.. It is not certain whether the story is true or simply a joke.

Who were the Amazons?

In several stories the Amazons are mentioned by name. The most famous of them, without a doubt, was Hippolyta, sovereign of this town of women. This she possessed a magical belt that gave her advantage over men in battle. This was taken from her by Hercules, who killed her in a fight.

Other famous Amazons were the following:

Antianira. She was also queen of the Amazons and it is said that she ordered the mutilation of males when they were born, because the crippled made love better.Cleta. He traveled on a ship that lost its way and arrived in Italy to found the city of Clete.Izmir. Founder of Ephesus.​Melanipa or Menalipe. She was the sister of Queen Hippolyta. Hercules kidnapped her and asked for Hippolyta’s belt in exchange for her freedom. So she was released.Mirina. He defeated the Atlanteans, ruled Libya, and defeated the Gorgon army.Otrera. She was the lover of the god Ares and mother of Hippolyta.Penthesilea. He participated in the Trojan War and fell at the hands of Achilles. Apparently, he invented the tomahawk.Talestris or Talestria. She was also queen and it is said that she seduced Alexander the Great.

The myth of the Amazons is one of the most widespread, both in the East and the West. Even today There is a teacher named Katerina Tarnovska who leads a group with the intention of founding a village of warrior women. far from civilization.

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