| There
were many Amazons who contributed enormously to their calling;
too numerous to mention, but below we have tried to mention
and honour by way of a ‘roll call’ a few of the more famous
(or infamous!) ones… The better known Amazons amongst the fearsome
women warriors of the Ancients (even if not much is known
about some of them!) have been listed here in alphabetical order |
Aello
Aello
was one of Queen Hippolyte's (the 1st) Amazons. She was
the first to attack Herakles when he came for the Queens mystic girdle
as one of his labours. Unfortunately, Herakles having slain ‘the Lion’
from his first labour, now wore the lion skin, making him invulnerable.
Aello could not kill Herakles and was so killed herself.
Ainia
Ainia was an Amazon who fought with Penthesilea at Troy. She was the enemy
of Achilles and fought against him. Her name means "Swiftness."
Ainippe
After Queen after Hippolyte (1) was killed,
Ainippe was one of the many Amazons who went after Herakles' captains in
order to avenge the death of their Queen. Her name means "Swift Mare."
Alcibie
Alcibie was one of the twelve Amazons fought
and fell with Penthesilea at Troy.
Alcinoe
Alcinoe was an Amazon under the command of
Queen Andromache. Her name means "Mighty Wisdom".
Alcippe
Alcippe was one of Queen Hippolyte's Amazons.
She was the ninth and last Amazon to die by Herakles' hand in single combat
in the struggle to defend the Queen and her girdle. After her death, the
Amazons fought in force. Her name means "Powerful Mare."
Alkaia
Alkaia was one of the Amazon generals of
Queen Andromache's command. Her name means "Mighty One."
Amynomene
Amynomene was an Amazon serving under the
Amazon Queen Orithia in the Attic War. Her name means "Blameless Defender."
Anaea
Anaea was a Thermodon Amazon and a conqueror.
She named a city after herself and her tomb lies there.
Anaxilea
Anaxilea was an Amazon whose name reflected
that she was believed to be of royal blood.
Androdameia
Androdameia was an Amazon warrior who fought
in the Attic War. Her name means "Subduer of Men."
Andromache
Andromache was a great Amazon Queen. Her name
means "Man Fighter."
Andromeda
Andromeda was an Amazon who served the Amazon
Queen Andromache. Her name means "Ruler of Men."
Antandre
Antandre fought and died with Queen
Penthesilea at Troy. Her name means "Preceding Men."
Antianara
Antianara was the Amazon Queen of the
Thermodon Amazons who succeeded Queen Penthesilea after Penthesilea was
killed by Achilles at Troy.
Antianeira
Antianeira was an Amazon in the Attic War and
she duelled with Theseus in single combat.
Antibrote
Antibrote was one of the band of twelve hand
picked Amazons who helped the young Queen Penthesilea temporarily liberate
Troy.
Antimache
Antimache served under Queen Andromache. Her
name means "Confronting Warrior."
Antimachos
Antimachos was an Amazon warrior who fought
in the Attic War.
Antiope
Antiope was queen of the Amazons when Theseus
of Athens attacked. When she was defeated, she was alledgely kidnapped, but
is said to have ‘married’ Theseus and bore his son, Hippolytus (named after
Queen Hippolyte). By one account, Antiope survived the battle between the
Amazons and Theseus, only then to be betrayed by the Athenian king, who
married another. Antiope attacked on the day of the wedding with her
Amazons. She had planned to massacre the guests. It took Theseus, his
companions and the invincible Herakles to eventually kill her. Her name
means "Confronting Moon."
Areto
Areto was an Amazon who went with Pantariste to kill the captains and
soldiers of Herakles so avenging the murder of their Queen Hippolyte. The
Amazons won this battle. Her name means "Unspeakable."
Antiopeia
Antiopeia was an Amazon archer in the Attic
War.
Areximacha
Areximacha was an Amazon under the command of
Queen Andromache.
Aristomache
Aristomache was an Amazon who fought the
enemy Mounichos in the Attic War. Her name means "Best of Warriors."
Asteria
Asteria was named in favour of the Titan
mother of Hecate. She was the sixth Amazon warrior slain by Herakles in
single combat when he came for Queen Hippolyte's girdle. Even though the
Amazons knew he was invulnerable, they still chose to fight honourably and
bravely, challenging him one by one. Nine were to die by Herakles’ hand. Her
name means "Of the Sky."
Bremusa
Bremusa was an Amazon who was one of
Penthesilea’s twelve warrior companions fighting at Troy, where she died.
Her name means "Raging Female."
Celaneo
Celaneo was an Amazon under Queen Hippolyte
(1) whose best weapon was a spear. She fought with Euryhe and Phoebe, always
standing shoulder to shoulder in combat. They were killed by Herakles in his
quest for Queen Hyppolyte’s girdle.
Clete
Clete (or Cleite) was an Amazon Queen,
sailing to join Penthesilea at Troy, Bad or good fortune befell her when she
was blown off course. She eventually landed in Italy and founded the city of
Clete. Her name means "The Invoked."
Clyemne
Clyemne was an Amazon warrior of note at the
Attic war who fought both Theseus and Phaleros in single combat. Her name
means "Famous Might."
Deianeira
Deianeira was the fifth Amazon warrior killed
by Herakles in single combat during his ninth labour. Her name means
"Strings Together Spoils."
Deinomache
Deinomache was an Amazon warrior in the Attic
War. Her name means Terrible Warrior."
Derimacheia
Derimacheia was one of the twelve Amazon
companions of Queen Penthesilea fighting at Troy.
Derinoe
Derinoe was an Amazon warrior who fought for
Queen Penthesilea at Troy. She killed Laogonus in single combat.
Doris
Doris was an Amazon named in favour of a sea-goddess.
She was a spear-woman in the Attic War. Her name means "Bountiful."
Echephyle
Echephyle fought Eudorus in single combat in
the Attic War. Her name means "Chief Defender."
Eriobea
Eriobea was an Amazon who served under Queen Hippolyte. She was the fourth
killed by Herakles in single combat.
Eumache
Eumache was an Amazon archer during the Attic
War, who once disarmed and out of arrows, fought with a stone! Her name
means "Good Fighter."
Eurybe
Eurybe was an Amazon who excelled in the use
of the spear. She always fought in an unbeatable pattern with Phoebe and
Celaneo. Unfortunately, they were killed by Herakles when their spears broke
against the lion's skin he wore from his first labour which made him
invincible. The three were killed with one sword stroke. Her name means
"Grand Strength."
Euryleia
Euryleia was an Amazon warrior fought in the Attic War. Her name means
"Woman Wanderer."
Harmothoe
Harmothoe was an Amazon warrior at the side
of Queen Penthesilea at Troy. Her name means "Sharp Nail."
Hipp
Hipp was an Amazon Queen. She worked together with the Amazon Queen Marpesia
and was said to have founded the cities, Ephesus, Smyrna, Cyrene and Myrine.
It is supposed that Hipp also built a temple to Artemis in Ephesus that
remains one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Her name means
"Horse."
Hippolyte I
Hippolyte was an Amazon Queen who was the
daughter of the great mother Otrera and Ares, God of War. Herakles' ninth
labour was to take Hippolyte's war girdle which was a gift from her father,
Ares. When Herakles came, Hippolyte was impressed with his strength and so
gave him the girdle. But when Hera, Queen of the Gods and step-mother to
Herakles saw this, she told Hippolyte's Amazons that Herakles, whom she
hated, was there to abduct their Queen. The Amazons attacked Herakles, and
during the battle, Queen Hippolyte was killed. Her name means "Of the
Stampeding Horse."
Hippolyte II
Hippolyte II was the Amazon Queen and a
sister of Penthesilea. While the two were hunting together, Penthesilea
accidentally killed her. Penthesilea was so shocked and ashamed, that she
left the Amazons tribe, taking twelve of her hand picked Amazon warriors
with her to fight at Troy.
Hippomache
Hippomache was a warrior who fought at the
Attic War.
Hippothoe
Hippothoe fought and fell with Queen
Penthesilea at Troy. Her name means "Imperious Mare."
Hypsipyle
Hypsipyle was an Amazon under Queen Hippolyte I. She helped in the fight
against Herakles' captains. Her name means "Of the High Gate."
Iphito
Iphito served under Queen Hippolyte 1. She
joined in the battle with Pantariste against Herakles' captains, Telamon,
Theseus and Tiamides.
Kleoptoleme
Kleoptoleme was an Amazon under Queen
Andromache.
Kreousa
Kreousa was an Amazon who was killed by
Phylakos in single combat in the Attic War.
Kydoime
Kydoime was an Amazon under Queen Andromache.
Laodoke
Laodoke fought with the Amazons in the Attic
War.
Lykopis
Lykopis was an Amazon archer under Queen Andromache. Her name means
"She-Wolf."
Lysippe
Lysippe was an Amazon Queen. She Settled her
Amazons near the Black Sea and was the one who established the policies that
Amazons lived by. Lysippe was an intelligent woman, an excellent general and
founded the city, Themiskyra. She was killed in battle and became a hero to
her people. Her name means "She Who Lets Loose the Horses."
Marpe
Marpe was the seventh Amazon to challenge and
be killed by Herakles in his quest for Queen Hippolyte’s war girdle.
Marpesia
Marpesia was a powerful Amazon Queen, who ruled with Lampedo. They excelled
at building up on the Amazon Empire. The Caucasus Mountains were once called
"The Marpesians" as they were named after her. Marpesia was killed by a
group of barbarians during an Asian attack. Her name means "The Snatcher."
Melanippe
Melanippe was the sister of Antiope. When
Herakles came for Queen Hippolyte's war girdle, Melanippe was captured by
this son of Zeus. While a prisoner, she planned a successful mutiny on one
of Herakles' ships that freed her and some other captive Amazons. They took
the ship, killing the Greeks and cast their bodies overboard. Unfortunately,
these Amazons were trained to ride horses and to not sail. As a result they
were blown of course and towards the shores of Scythia. There they stole
horses and became marauders. Her name means "Black Mare."
Melousa
Melousa was an Amazon in the Attic War, under
the command of Orithia.
Mimnousa
Mimnousa fought at the Attic War.
Molpadia
Molpadia was an Amazon warrior who fought for
Orithia. Her name means "Death Song."
Okyale
Okyale was an Amazon archer who fought in the
Attic war. She also engaged Astyochos in single combat.
Okypous
Okypous was an Amazon under the command of
Queen Andromache.
Orithia
Orithia (or Oreithyia) was a daughter of the powerful Amazon Queen Marpesia.
When her mother was killed by Asian barbarians, this position fell to her.
She forged an alliance with Sagillus, King of Scythia, who sent his son with
an army to help the new Queen Orithia avenge her mother's death.
Pantariste
After the death of Queen Hippolyte 1,
Herakles' captains fled, Pantariste was the Amazon who lead the chase after
them. Two Greek foot soldiers attacked her, but she killed them (killing the
second by holding his throat until he choked). She threw her spear at
Captain Tiamides, who blocked it with his shield, but the force knocked him
to the ground. She then threw her labrys (a double-bladed axe) and beheaded
him.
Penthesilea
Penthesilea was the daughter of Orithia and
Ares, and she was known for her bravery, her skill in weapons and her
wisdom. During a hunt, she accidentally killed her sister the Queen,
Hippolyte II. As a result, she was so filled with grief that she set out for
Troy (which she liberated) to atone for her sin, though eventually Achilles
retook Troy. Penthesilea's Amazons fought for Troy again. Since she was
the daughter of Ares (God of War), she was able to kill many warriors at
there, before falling herself. Achilles, when removing her helmet, was so
stricken by her beauty, was said to have 'loved' her after death.... Her
name means "Compelling Men to Mourn."
Philippis
Philippis was the second Amazon warrior of
the nine to engage Herakles, one-on-one, after he had killed Queen
Hippolyte. She was killed by his hand. Her name means "Woman Who Loves
Horses."
Phoebe
Phoebe was the third of the Amazon
spear-women with Celaneo and Eurybe. They were killed by Herakles when they
attacked him after Queen Hippolyte's death.
Pisto
Pisto was an Amazon under Queen Andromache.
Polemusa
Polemusa was one of the twelve chosen Amazons
who accompanied Queen Penthesilea to Troy.
Prothoe
Prothoe was the third Amazon to take on
Herakles in single combat after Queen Hippolyte's death. Herakles won
however as he was invincible due to the Lion skin he wore from his first
labour, so killing her. Her name means "First in Might."
Pyrgomache
Pyrgomache was an Amazon who fought in the
Attic War. Her name means "Fiery Warrior."
Scyleia
Scyleia was an Amazon under Queen Andromache.
Tecmessa
Tecmessa was the eighth Amazon warrior to
challenge and die by Herakles’ hand, in hand-to-hand combat. Her name means
"She Who Judges."
Teisipyte
Teisipyte was an Amazon who served under
Queen Andromache.
Telepyleia
Telepyleia was an Amazon under Queen
Andromache. Her name means "Far Sailing."
Thalestris
Thalestris was an Amazon Queen during the
days of Alexander the Great. Alexander met with Thalestris, and they hunted
lions together and had thirteen nights of lovemaking (thirteen is a sacred
fertility number for moon worshippers, due to the number of moons in a
year). She had hoped to have a mighty daughter from Alexander, but she died
soon afterward without issue. It has been said that they didn’t really
appeal to each other but agreed to carry out their duty.
Thermodosa
Thermodosa was one of Queen Penthesilea's
twelve chosen Amazon companions at Troy.
Thraso
Thraso was an Amazon under Queen Andromache.
Her name means "Confidence."
Toxaris
Toxaris was an Amazon of Queen Andromache’s command. Her name means
"Archer."
Toxis
Toxis was an archer under Queen Andromache.
Toxophile
Toxophile was an archer under Queen Andromache’s command.
Valasca
Valasca (or Dlasta) was an Amazon warrior
queen, who ruled for several years in absolute tyranny (a nasty piece of
work…). She had the right eye and thumbs of all males removed, to
make them useless in battle. She wanted to start a new era for the Amazons
but she was cruel and vicious in her haste, having only a small cult of
willing and similar minded followers. It was not until she died that "the
nation resumed its normal order."
Xanthippe
Xanthippe was an Amazon in the Attic War. Her
name means "Yellow Mare."
Perhaps the best known Amazon,
apart from Penthesilea was Hippolyte. It is thought however, that this may
well have been more of a title than a name, like 'Caesar' or 'Minos' (which is believed to be the ancient for 'High King' or 'honourable'...).
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