Popular Greek myths where the Amazons are prominently featured. Largely considered part of the Greek origin story, these myths tell the tales of great heroes and their pursuits at the cost of the Amazons’ livelihoods. The Amazon never survives in the myth, and her death marks an everlasting warning of the dangers of living in an inverse society where the women battle and rule than a typical Greek city.
Hippolyte’s Girdle
Hercules’ Ninth Labor was to take the belt of the Amazon Queen Hippolyte.
He traveled to the land of the Amazons, Themiscyra, preparing to seize the belt by force. Upon arrival on the Amazon shores, he was met with a different reality than he thought. Hercules and Hippolyte conversed peacefully, and it appeared that their exchange would be successful.
Hera, Queen of the Gods, did not like what she saw, and determined to thwart Hercules in any way possible, she took matters into her own hands. She disguised herself as an Amazon and descended to Themiscyra in a cloud. She created confusion among Hercules and his men, leading Hercules to attack the Amazons and stab Hippolyte to death.
The Amazonomachy
Numerous Amazonomachies recount fierce battles between the Greeks and Amazons.
One such famous battle was the Battle for Athens, largely considered to have taken place after Hercules’ Ninth Labor. Theseus, the prince of Athens, was said to accompany Hercules on his journey to Themiscyra. During his brief time there, he either captured or seduced Antiope, the sister of Hippolyte, and set sail for his homeland.
Wounded and defeated, the Amazons sought to rescue Antiope (and possibly reclaim Hippolytle’s belt). They launched an invasion of Athens with the help of the Scythians, fighting for a grueling four months. The tide of the war eventually turned in favor of the Athenians, and they defeated the Amazons, wiping them out almost entirely.
In the Trojan War
An epic battle between Achilles and Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, during the Trojan War in Homer.
There are loose accounts of Amazon’s aid during the Trojan War. It was said Penthesilea came to Troy after accidentally killing a relative. Only after serving Priam, the King of Troy, would she be cleansed of her guilt. Penthesilea easily defeats masses of Greek soldiers until she faces Achilles. They are equally matched in skill and speed, but Achilles’ spear eventually kills her.
In her final moments, he removes her helmet, revealing her beauty. Achilles instantly feels an attraction toward her and is overcome with grief over a woman who could’ve become his lover. Achilles holds Penthesilea in her final moments, which is an interesting spin on the relationships between Greeks and Amazons.