Although oral tales about warrior women arose in the Greek storytelling imagination at an early date, with the earliest vase paintings depicting Amazons armed and armoured as Greek hoplites, with round shields and swords, later ideas about the Amazons’ appearance, lifestyle, weapons, and homeland were influenced by increasing knowledge of real-life warrior women of Scythia.
The Scythians’ nomadic lifestyle, grounded in archery and horses, meant relative equality for the sexes, which made a powerful impression on the Greeks. For the Greeks, who mostly farmed and lived in towns, a boundless, uncultivated expanse of land inhabited by war-loving male and female mounted archers was an intimidating notion, arousing mixed emotions of awe and anxiety. In Greek maledominated society, women were expected to remain indoors, weaving and caring for children. It is…
