Our story takes place in Anatolia (or Asia Minor)—a region located in the western end of Asia.
And it was there, on the banks of the Thermodon River, that lived a tribe of ancient female warriors known as the Amazons.
It is said the Amazons were the supernaturally-gifted daughters of Ares, God of war, and Harmonia, the nymph of harmony and concord. And it was through their inherited gifts of battle, ferocity, and desire for peace (from others, that is) that the Amazons found their mythic fame.
Living on the outskirts of society, the Amazons were a proud woman-only tribe that lived and died by the accordance of their own laws and rules. It is said that they would welcome in men only for breeding purposes—using them to carry out the strength of their lineage. But it’s important to remember that the Amazons were a woman-only tribe—and so, if they birthed a baby boy, that baby would meet an early fate.
The Amazons were not known for their cruelty, however, but were known to be a tribe deeply focused on their values and virtues—namely those of battle and of war. They were fierce fighters, with some legends saying that the women were so devoted to the art of battle that they would remove their right breasts in order to more efficient archers and spear-throwers.
Their intense devotion to battle (and almost equally intense dislike of men) was known well across the lands.
Which is why retrieving the magic girdle of Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons was one of Hercules’ twelve impossible labors.
You see, Hercules (the demigod born of Zeus) was given twelve labors to complete on order of the King Eurystheus, based on a promise from the Oracle of Delphi—that if Hercules served the King faithfully for twelve years and completed every task given, he would become immortal.
Now, the King absolutely detested Hercules, and so, gave him twelve tasks that were deemed utterly impossible to complete.
With the ninth task being to steal the magical girdle of the Amazon Queen.
However, when Hercules and his men had arrived to the home of the Amazons, they was not greeted with the battle cries that were expected.
In fact…
Queen Hippolyta had heard stories of Hercules’ mythic conquests and was rather impressed by his strength and skill—after all, a warrior could recognize and respect a fellow warrior. And so, the Queen met Hercules and his men by the beach and happily handed over her magical girdle.
But, all would soon turn for the worst, as Hera—the jealous wife of Zeus and enemy of Hercules—was trying to thwart the demigod by any means necessary. And so, spying on his journey, she could not accept the ease with which he completed this task, and descended upon the Amazons—disguised as one of their own.
So you see, while the Queen had left to meet Hercules by the shore, Hera had slipped into the center of the tribe—spreading rumors that Hercules had only come there to kill their Queen.
Hearing such news of course riled up the tribe, and the Amazons—in their full battle regalia—descended upon their shores to slaughter Hercules and his men.
But, the Amazons wouldn’t get their battle this time.
For when Hercules saw the Amazons approaching for war, he killed Queen Hippolyta, took the girdle, and quickly left the shores of the Amazon home—assuming he had been set-up to die. Which left our dear Amazons deep in mourning, but deeper in rage.
And this, dear reader, while not the end of the Amazons, is the end of our story.
The Amazons—even long after their Queen had fallen—continued their epic devotion to the art of battle; fighting armies, defending those they loved, and (attempting) to conquer great and brutish enemies.
That fated day on their shores would not be the last the world heard from them… oh no.
They were just getting started...
