Amazons
The Amazons were a legendary nation of all-female warriors who lived without men, governed themselves, and fought the greatest Greek heroes as equals.
The Legend of Amazons
The Amazons were warrior women dwelling beyond the Black Sea near the river Thermodon. Ares was their patron, and they worshipped Artemis. Heracles' ninth labour was to take Hippolyta's girdle; Theseus joined him and abducted Antiope, provoking an Amazon invasion of Athens. At Troy, Penthesilea led the Amazons to aid Priam, fighting Achilles in single combat before falling to him. Their myth intersects nearly every major hero cycle, from Perseus and Bellerophon to the walls of Troy itself.
Children
Hippolytus (by Hippolyta and Theseus)
Symbols
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Amazons of Themiscyra
🐉 creaturewarriors, women
The warrior women of Themiscyra on the Black Sea coast who fought, hunted, and governed independently of men, later confirmed by archaeology as based on real Scythian warrior women.
Caenus
🗡 heroTransformation, Invulnerability, Gender
Lapith warrior transformed from a woman into an invulnerable man by Poseidon, killed by Centaurs pounding him into the earth.
Periboia
🗡 heroNobility, Adoption, Courage
Athenian noblewoman who joined the tribute sent to Minos and was rescued by Theseus, later marrying Ajax's father Telamon.
Alcmene
🗡 heroMother of Heracles
Alcmene was the mortal woman whom Zeus seduced by disguising himself as her husband — she bore Heracles, the greatest hero of Greek mythology.
Hippolyta
🗡 heroNone recorded
Queen of the Amazons whose magical belt was the object of Heracles' ninth labour
Alcimede
🗡 heroMotherhood, nobility
Noble Thessalian woman and mother of Jason, leader of the Argonauts
Chromios
🗡 heroCombat, defence
Trojan warrior who fought in the defence of Troy during the long Greek siege
Harpalyce
🗡 heroFemale Warrior, Revenge, Transformation
Thracian princess raised as a warrior who was transformed into a bird after a cycle of horrific revenge.
Ajax
🗡 heroThe immovable warrior who held the Greek line
The massive warrior from Salamis who carried a shield like a tower wall and held the Greek line when every other defender broke.
Aristodeme
🗡 heroMotherhood, divine favour
Mother of Asclepius in certain traditions, a mortal woman of Messenia loved by Apollo
Bias
🗡 heroCombat, leadership
Trojan or Greek warrior whose name means strength, appearing among fighters at Troy
Parthenopaeus
🗡 heroSeven Against Thebes, Youth, Arcadia
Young Arcadian hero, one of the Seven Against Thebes, who died at the city walls before seeing his homeland again.