Archeologists now unequivocally confirm the existence of a society of warrior women described by ancient Greeks in their myths. This means the fearless Amazons, who lived ‘just like men’, was not merely mythical!
Unraveling the Legends
Throughout history, European and Asian folklore has been rich with tales of Amazons. According to popular lore, these warrior women abstained from sex except for once a year when they visited neighboring tribes to procreate and sustain their community. Allegedly, girls were retained while boys were either mutilated and killed or returned to their fathers.
However, the reality is quite different. While it’s true they sent sons to neighboring tribes, it was more to prevent incest or forge alliances rather than infanticide. There’s no evidence supporting the killing of male offspring.
Dispelling Misconceptions
For centuries, Amazons were portrayed as ruthless lesbian warriors who supposedly removed one breast to handle a bow and arrow better. However, there’s no historical basis for such claims. According to National Geographic, “Excavations of ancient Scythian graves revealed skeletons initially assumed male due to their burial with weapons and warhorses. Yet, DNA testing revealed these remains belonged mostly to women, showing injuries similar to those found on male warriors’ remains.”
Despite descriptions of their “strong sisterly bonds” in classical literature, ancient Greeks didn’t consider Amazons lesbians. If they were, Greeks would have likely documented it, given their openness about homosexuality. Thus, the notion of Amazon lesbianism likely emerged much later.
Admiration Turned Reality
Herodotus, the ancient historian, described Scythian gatherings where, according to Britannica, “cannabis was burned, inducing a communal intoxication.”
These remains spanned various ages, with the youngest being around 12 or 13, suggesting Scythian girls were trained for warfare from a young age, much like boys.
Long presumed as mere Greek fabrications, the myths of Amazons have now found validation in reality. Today, we have evidence that these women did exist, and their lives significantly influenced ancient Greek perceptions of Amazons.
