Who were the Amazons?
Mythological tribe of warrior women living on the eastern edge of the known Greek world
Who were they inspired by?
Scythians = moving tribe in Persia, women rode and fought
Give 3 pieces of evidence to show that the Amazonian society was matriarchal
Myths stated that:
1. There were no men
2. Women did all the farming, governing and warfare
3. Only kept their newborns if they were girls
What did they do to the babies who were boys?
Either sent him back to his dad , enslaved him or exposed him to die
What were they famous for?
Hating men, Rejecting typically feminine tasks (such as weaving)
Who was Herodotus and what did he say about the amazons in particular?
. Greek historian and geogrpaher
. Said they couldn’t marry until they’d killed an enemy man
Some Amazon warriors died unmarried. What does this show us about them? Make two points
. They considered war to be more important than marriage
. They’re priorities were more masculine than feminine
Many said they cut off their right breasts. Why might they have done this?
. Easier to throw spears/shoot arrows
. Would strengthen their right arms
What evidence shows that they didn’t cut off their breasts?
Most pictures show them with two breasts
