What would be the origin of the Amazons, the
warrior women of Greek legends? Were they some historical people? Or just a
myth?
I don't deny the opinion that Sarmatian women were
very active as warriors, but I think the Amazo:nes had some mythic substratum: a host of fierce marine
women.
1) AMAZO:NES (akin to Armenian Amis-Zon "Moon
Woman" ?)
They've ever apperead in Greek myths as
adversaries of heroes, Theseus, Herakles and Bellerophontes. Myrina (Bathyaia)'s
tomb is cited at Iliad. Diodorus Siculus mentioned euhemerist tales
envolving Lybian Amazons, Atlants and Gorgons.
2) GEOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
There were two different areas, perhaps reflecting
two distinct traditions. The "Southern Tradition", with Amazons coming from
Egypt, Libya, or even Hesperides. The "Northern Tradition", with Amazons coming
from Asia, Thracia or Scythia. The S-Tradition may have connections with female
priests of Neith, that were depicted as warriors. The N-Tradition may have
influences from Sarmatian warrior women. Maybe these traditions could have
influenced the Amazon legends.
I gathered other legends that can have links to the
Amazons:
- HALIAI
Warrior women came from sea following Dionysus.
They're killed by Perseus. Sometimes depicted as Sirens.
- DANAIDES
50 women coming from Egypt (beyond Sea),
husband-killers, killed by Lygkeus and punished in Tartarus.
- MAINADES
The wild furious women that followed Dionysus,
sometimes explained as the nymphs that raised Dionysus. Dionysus sometimes ran
after his foes hiding under sea, among the Nereides Sometimes the Mainades were
described as the Kadmos's daughters, driven crazy by Dionysus.
- NEREIDES
50 sea-nymphs. The Orphism put them as nurses of
little Dionysus. Two of the Nereides, Autonoe & Agaue, had the same names as
two Kadmos's daughters. According to Nereus was the same character as Proteus
"First One"; Kadmos can came from Semitic Qadm "First". Proteus and Kadmos
were associated to Phoenicia. Kadmos may have absorbed elements of Semitic
Ba'al, as a dragon-killer.
- NYSAI
Other names of the nurses of Dionysus. Sometimes
they were the Hyades. Connection with Heimdall, raised by
sea-giantesses?
- LEMNIADES
Other group of women that kill men. They were
islanders, then, "women from sea".
- THESPIADAI
50 maidens that gave to Herakles his
sons
- ENDYMIONIDES
50 daughters of Endymion and Selene, the Moon.
Sometimes from Caria, sometimes from Elis.
Concluding:
Fifty wild and ferocious sea-nymphs, maybe
connected to Moon, invading Greece and defeated by a Greek hero.
Joao SL
Rio