The Amazon were a tribe of women in Greek Mythology who possessed the task of going off to fight in wars and govern society, while their husbands would carry out all the housework. They lived in this matriarchal society in Asia Minor. For some, it is hard to believe that a woman could live without men, or conquer an entire country by themselves. Stories about women who were able to exist without men, and furthermore resist men in wars and defeat them, - in today's academic opinion - could never be true. However, there is proof to support the legend of the Amazon, for they had many beliefs, superstitions, conquests, and ideas. .
First of all, to make sense of this legend, we should know where the term Amazon comes from. From a Greek standpoint, the term actually means "without breast." The Scythians called the Amazons "Oiorpata" which means "man killer". .
The Amazon had many superstitions. For one, before they could marry, they would have to kill a man. Then, if she had a baby boy, it would either be killed or mutilated at birth. They obviously never wanted to lose their high status as woman. They would also remove their left breast, as they thought this would improve their skill in throwing the javelin. Doing so would give them much more strength than before. The only reason they preserved their right breast was for the purpose of breastfeeding their children. However, in art, they are depicted as beautiful women with no apparent mutilation. Therefore, one might argue they never disfigured themselves for the mere purpose of advancing in the art of war. These customs are what added to the Amazons" strength and determination. .
The Amazon women were believed to have worshipped Artemis. Her statue is supposed to have been housed in the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. .
The Amazon lived between the Halys River and the city called Trabson in the Northern Coast of Asia Minor and beyond.
