The Amazons’ ancient dress develops as follows: Shield: the round shield of the hoplite is replaced by the pelta, a small shield of an elliptic form, or crescent shaped.įrom being depicted as Greek hoplites the Amazons were increasingly shown from the 6thC BC onwards dressed in non-Greek warrior clothing.Battle axe: not a typical Greek weapon, this axe originates from Scythia (today Crimea) and is also called sagaris.The bow and arrow associates Amazons with the Greek goddess, Artemis. Thus, the distinction between “Greeks” and “barbarians” was made. It has been pointed out (Blok) that in the language of the weapons code, the bow denotes a mode of fighting that is beneath a Greek. Bow and arrow: one of the typical Amazon weapons.It is the time when the myth places the Amazons’ place of origin in Asia. Later from the 6thC BC onwards, non-Greek weapons are introduced to the Amazons arsenal to make their foreignness apparent. At first they are depicted using the common weapons of the hoplite, or ancient Greek soldier: sword, spear and a round shield. Amazons WeaponsĪn all-female tribe of women warriors the Amazons were skilled horse riders and are often seen on horseback during battles. The Amazons’ warrior clothing as depicted on black-figure pottery and friezes reflects the ancient Greeks’ changing perceptions regarding these women warriors’ origins. The ancient weaponry and varied warrior clothing of the fierce Amazons reflect these women warriors’ diverse origins.Ĭentral figures of Greek mythology and a very popular theme in ancient Greek art, the Amazons were the fierce women warriors that fought many battles against Greek armies and Greek heroes, such as Theseus, Achilles, Hercules and Bellerophon.
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