In history, these women are depicted as fearsome, belligerent man-haters who killed male babies. But who exactly were the formidable Amazons, these legendary horsemen-archers, stories about whom are found not only in ancient Greece, but also in Egypt and China?
Excavations across Eurasia have led to some findings. In the graves, skeletons of women with battle wounds, weapons and military harness were found. According to the findings, female warriors were a reality. However, which of the myths surrounding the Amazons is true and which is fiction? Stanford University historian Adrian Mayor is ready to answer this question and dispel five of the most persistent myths associated with female warriors who conquered the steppes of Eurasia about three thousand years ago.
Amazons cut off their breasts to better shoot from a bow
It was because of this myth that the steppe horsemen with bows were called Amazons by the ancient Greeks. The root "mazon" from Greek means "female breast", and the prefix "a" means absence. One of the Greek historians first combined this word in the fifth century BC. e. However, this strange idea did not take root among the ancient Greeks and did not find a response in other cultures. This is why the Amazons are depicted as beautiful, gorgeous warriors, with no missing body parts. In addition, the idea that the bow is more convenient to hold on a flat chest has no basis under it, this fact certainly does not affect accuracy.
Warrior women hated men
Unreasonable cruelty to men of any age on the part of the Amazons is far-fetched. And all because the patriarchal ancient Greek society treated its women quite harshly, absolutely subordinating them to their will. Greek women were considered weak, inferior creatures, whose role was limited solely to caring for the house, husband and children. Unsurprisingly, when faced with a culture of free, strong and independent women, the ancient Greeks were convinced that men played the same subordinate role in their society. Probably unwilling to put up with the secondary role of men, they created the myth that the Amazons killed their men and male babies. However, many Roman and Greek historians have described the Amazons as "equal to men."
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They refused to bear children
This myth probably arose not so long ago, because this is a very modern dilemma: a career or a child. In fact, Greek historians, when describing Amazon motherhood as "incomplete", meant that warrior women preferred not to breastfeed their children, as this prevented them from fighting. Instead of mother's milk, the Amazons used the milk of their mares. Another proof that contradicts this myth is the excavation of the graves of warlike horsemen. In addition to weapons and armor, skeletons of babies and small children were found next to them.
Amazon stories are found only among the ancient Greeks
For some time, the Amazons were considered a figment of the imagination of Greek historians, but similar women warriors appear in the history of Egypt, Persia, the Caucasus, India and even China. The belonging of the Amazons to a particular culture has not yet been completely proven, however, judging by the cultures in which stories about warriors appeared, they were most likely Scythians and led a nomadic lifestyle.
The Amazons are a figment of the imagination of the Greeks
According to ancient Greek records, the Amazons were a barbarian tribe composed entirely of strong women who were skilled horse riders and archers. They thrilled the entire territory from the Black Sea to Mongolia. Recent archaeological excavations of 300 ancient graves have proven that the Amazon is not just a product of the imagination of Greek writers and artists.