Mythical nation of female warriors, a creation of the Greek epic and defined by the epithet antiáneirai, ‘of equal value to men’ (Hom. Il. 3,189; 6,186).
Famous for their bravery throughout all of antiquity, the A. were introduced in various stories. As masculine women they challenged the masculinity of the Greek heroes, (among others) Achilles, Bellerophon, Hercules, Theseus, …
Cite this page
Blok, Josine H. (Groningen) and
Ley, Anne (Xanten),
“Amazons”, in:
Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry.
Consulted online on 28 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e117370>