Amazon warriors were very spiritual persons. From statues and decaying relics, we can see their reverence to Mother Earth. Amazons wereamong the greatest equestrians and were reverent to animals. Roman legends depict the Amazons as invaders of Greece, Syria, the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Libya, and the islands of the Aegean. It is strange to note that the same sources suggest that Amazon's could not sail / boat. Isn't that the usual venue for invading cultures?
Kupru Kale, a fortress in N. Turkey, is considered the last Amazon stronghold. Today, one can still see sections of the fortress. Pathways leading up to the mountainous area were
skillfully carved through stone.
Prehistory and History have recorded many instances of women warriors. In modern times, the king of Dahomey (now Benin)
maintained the use of an army of women.
In 1917, it was a female "battalion of death" that fought in the Russian Revolution.
Women soldiers proudly served with Soviet troops in World War II. The South Korean army incorporated women fighters in 1950.
Women were active in the Israeli army's conflicts with the Arabs.
(Did you know, Dr. Ruth, the sexologist, used to be an Israel sniper?)
AMAZON RIVER CURIOUSITY
AMAZON QUEEN: Omphale
According to Greek mythology, Queen Omphale bought Hercules, a 3-year punishment, from the god Hermes profiding a brawny
slave. Hercules had murdered his friend Iphitus and stole the Delphic tripod.(Tuft University Site)
Setting the mighty male hero to domestic chores, Omphale truly made Hercules reaquaint his humilty. I really love this story!
SARMATIONS
The Sarmatians were nomads (6 BC-4AD ; lived in Russia roughly 4th Century BC to 4th Century
AD) who may have been fire worshipers. In order to marry, young Sarmatian women needed to kill an enemy in battle. Because of this custom, some historians feel the Greeks may have
generated tales about Amazon warriors. Many Sarmatian tombs have been found in Russia near Kuban. Women warriors buried with weapons and male warriors.
Warrior Women of Eurasia:
Sarmatians
During the period of their greatest power, they were a constant threat to Roman provinces in the Balkans, particularly Dacia (modern Romania). They were overcome by the Huns and the Goths.
Extra, Extra
WONDER WOMAN FAN CLUB||
Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine ||
PRINCTON UNIVERSITY: Gender
and Immortality, Catelog of heroines
Amazon temple, one
of Seven Wonders of the World
CELTIC MYTHOLOGY
Every Celtic thing on the Web
ONLINE LIBRARIES
Online Literary Library
Dictionary of Phrase and
Fable
According to material offered from prehistory and Greek / Roman mythology, the Amazons were an exclusive female nation residing on the south coast of the Black Sea. Except for a few male slaves, the Amazons usually mated with Gargarean males to propagate Amazon daughters. All male infants were sent to their fathers to become soldiers. As a young Amazon grew, she was trained in many time-honored skills: agriculture, hunting, and war.
THE MATRIARCH
In 1541, a Spanish explorer, Francisco de ORELLANA, explored the Peruvian Andes and followed a river little more than 160 km (100 mi) from the Pacific Ocean, that descended into the Atlantic Ocean. He reported being attacked by fierce female warriors and named the river AMAZON, after Greek mythology.
What do you think he saw?
101 Amazons
For more Warrior Women, check out: The
Great Sikh Warriors
Amazon index
Amazons and
Archaelogy
4000 years of Women in Science
IRISH MYTHS
The Internet Public Library
Oxford Online Text Archive
UVA etext
Project
Gutenberg
CMU online book page