The AMAZONS were a nation of women dwelling about the river Thermodon. They were, as a race, considered to be the children of Ares and Harmonia . The AMAZONS of Libya were much earlier in point of time and disappeared entirely many generations before the Trojan War; but those about the Thermodon river were in their full vigour a little before that time. The Libyan AMAZONS were also known for having waged war against the people of Atlantis, the most civilised men of the region, who dwelt in a prosperous country and possessed great cities.
Some of their customs
The AMAZONS cultivated the manly virtues and they pinched off the right breasts of all females so that they might not be hindered by them in throwing the javelin. But they kept the left breasts so that they might suckle, as they gave birth to children through normal intercourse with the other sex.
Where they lived
The AMAZONS lived between the river Halys and the city called Trabson in the northern coast of Asia Minor and perhaps beyond, coming to Caucasus; for it is said that it was in the vicinity of Caucasus that the AMAZONS had regularly intercourse with the Gargarians; and whereas these kept the males, the AMAZONS kept the females. To the west of the Halys river were the Paphlagonians. It is assumed that the Gargarians and the AMAZONS were a single people living in Themiscyra, until the AMAZONS revolted and expelled them to Caucasus, being supported by Thracians and Euboeans. Later however, the AMAZONS made a compact with them on the matter of children. But others simply say that a warlike woman took power in Themiscyra and assigned domestic duties to men, while herself led successful military campaigns throughout the whole coast, from Caucasus to Thrace.
Cities founded by them
Some have mentioned the cities of Cyme, Myrine, Ephesus and Smyrna as having been founded by the AMAZONS, according to tradition. The temple of Artemis in Ephesus is attributed to Otrere, the queen of the AMAZONS who raised it for the first time. But since some towns are founded several times, there is also one Ephesus, son of the river god Cayster, who is said to have founded the city that bears his name. Otherwise the foundation of Ephesus is attributed to Androclus, son of King Codrus 1 of Athens, son of Melanthus 1, son of Andropompus 1, son of Borus 3, son of Penthilus 2, son of Periclymenus 1, son of Neleus and brother of Nestor. Now, Androclus was one of those who colonized Ionia, and his time could be estimated to 1020 BC aproximately (ca. 200 years after the Trojan war). Ephesus, some recall, was at some point called Smyrna, being so named after an Amazon Smyrna, who took possession of the city. Later the city Smyrna was founded from Ephesus by emigrants from this city. Because of Ephesus, and because of their customs, the Amazons are considered to be worshippers of Artemis, who may assume different forms. Theseus' son Hippolytus 4, son of an Amazon, was also a worshipper of Artemis.
Their last wars
The decline of the AMAZONS seems to have been caused by the expeditions of Heracles 1, Theseus, and the remembered campaigns of the young King Priam 1. During the Trojan War, the AMAZONS came, led by Penthesilia (whom some believe to be some sort of runaway, after having killed her sister), to help defend Troy.
Achilles fought the AMAZONS at Troy, finding among them yet another sweetheart: having killed Penthesilia, he fell in love with her.
Bellerophon was ordered by Iobates to fight the AMAZONS.
Heracles 1 fought the AMAZONS in order to get the Belt of Hippolyte 2. With him were Autolycus 2, Deileon 1 and Phlogius 2
Mygdon, king of the Bebrycians, once fought with Priam 1 against the AMAZONS
Otreus 1. Phrygian warrior, whose people once fought with Priam 1 against the AMAZONS
Solois. When Theseus returned from his expedition against the AMAZONS, he had Antiope 4 on board his ship. There chanced to be with him three young men of Athens, who were brothers: Euneus 3, Thoas 11 and Solois. The latter fell in love with Antiope 4 unbeknown to the rest, and revealed his secret to one of his intimate friends. That friend made overtures to Antiope 4, who repulsed the attempt, but treated the matter with discretion and gentleness, and made no denunciation to Theseus. But Solois, in despair,threw himself into a river and drowned.
Sthenelus 5 followed Heracles 1 in his campaign against the AMAZONS.
Theseus. The AMAZONS, at a certain time, attacked Athens, and having organised their forces about the Areopagus, were vanquished by the Athenians led by Theseus. It is also said that when Theseus married Phaedra, and when the marriage was being celebrated, the Amazon that had before been married to him, and who had given him a son (Hippolytus 4), appeared in arms with other AMAZONS, and threatened to kill the wedding guests. But the guests closed the doors and killed her, or as others say, she was killed in battle by Theseus. So, some say, that a battle took place, and that she (Hippolyte 3) was killed, either involuntarily by Penthesilia, her ally, or by Theseus, or because the wedding guests, seeing the threatening AMAZONS, hastily closed the doors and, separating her from the rest, slew her.
2006-12-12 11:07:27
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answer #5
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answered by Gazpode55 4
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