Amazons Flashcards
Where were they depicted?
on vases and in sculpture by the Greeks
particaully in case in 5th century following Persian wars
How are the Amazons normally shown?
armed for war but there are a great variety of scenes
some they are dancing
one they are swimming nude
Amazon’s clothes
generally dressed for cold steppes in Scythia (N of Black Sea) where they lived a nomadic lifestyle
pointed caps with patterned tunics and trousers
occasionally shown wearing leopard skins
sometimes barefoot but normally wear boots (approriate for horse-riding)
sometimes have tattoos (patterns or small animal pictures)
Amazon weapon
most often shown with bow and quiver
used variety of weapons - battle axe with blade and spike
spears and swords
small, half-moon shaped shield
sling or lasso
What were the Amazons?
repected warriors
Greeks are shown defeating them but their victories are hard-won
described by Homer as “the equals of men”
Amazons in mythology
went up against Herakles and Achilles
-> scenes of this are popular on Greek vases
in Trojan War
Myth that they attacked Athens
Amazons v Herakles
one of Herakles’ labours was to recover girdle of Hippolyte (queen of Amazons)
Theseus accompanied him and Herakles brought the girdle back
Theseus brough Hippolyte’s sister (Antiope) back - had a son called Hippolytus
Amazons attacked Athens to recover Antiope who was killed by mistake in the attack
Greeks and Amazons
clear from number of images of them that the Greeks had a fasciantion for them
often feature on vases which would have been used at drinking parties
Greeks and Amazons
clear from number of images of them that the Greeks had a fasciantion for them
often feature on vases which would have been used at drinking parties
Greek men and the Amazons
some of the fascination may have been erotic fantasy
Amazons = athletic, desirable young maidens (normally shown with one or both breasts revealed)
Greek women and the Amazons
Amazons often on perfume containers - universal appeal
Greek girls had Amazon dolls (they would surrender when they got married)
What image did the Amazons give?
freedom and gender-equality, unbound by demands and expectations of society
Where did the Amazons live?
Scythian steppes, hunting with dogs, riding or fighting mythical griffins
Two myths about Amazons
unreliable
- did not cut off one of their breasts to help them fire arrows (ancient hisotrian took ‘Amazon’ to be ‘without a breast’ but no evidence to suggest this happened - have both in depictions)
- did not maim male babies to prevent them from taking over once they grew up (Herodotus, who would of described this if it were true, makes no mention of it)
Amazons differences to the Greeks
opposite of Greek women - nomads, lived outdoor lifestyle, sexual freedom, fought
Amazons described as virgins but this meant unmarried
Herodotus talks about how Amazons and Scythians began to mingle, stressing Amazons sexual freedom
reluctant to indoors lifestyle of Scythian women
desirable (Scythians end up leaving their families and lands for them)
H mentions marriage law - must kill an enemy in battle before they marry
