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Copyright 8-30-2005 F. John Kluth, Kent Ohio.
This story will be illustrated. Click on the links to see the pictures.
One mystery associated with the Amazons is the lack of remains associated with Themiscyra in North-central Turkey. The reason for this is fairly simple. These Amazons were emigres from Crete. Women gained independence from men on Crete because when the men were away on adventures on the high seas, the women had to fend for themselves. They were also inspired by the stories of the Amazons of Africa which came with the Minoans when they moved from the drying Sahara to Crete. When the man came back from a voyages they were pretty opressive an demanding. They wanted the women to forget all about their good work and just strip and have sex. This usually left the women pregnant and with another mouth to feed. While the men were home they did not help with the housework. All they would do is hunt. This only resulted in dirty clothes and animals to clean and dress Then they would demand the food be cooked and served to their friends. All the women of the household would have to wear humiliating skimpy outfits that resulted in indignant comments from the guests. The women danced, sang, played music, cooked and served food while the men would simply eat and drink. Some of the women decided that they could get along without men altogether. When they left Crete they took only those trades that the women possessed. Women were weavers and not masons so when they arrived in their new land they made their shelters entirely from cloth. This actually suited their nomadic life following herds of wool producing animals. Themiscyra was not a built-up community, as we know it. Rather it was a trading center for a large group of tent communities. It was sort of a large bazar where the Amazons came to buy and sell their goods. The bazar was located in an open square in the center of the community. On the North side of the square was the queen's compound while on the south side was the compound dedicated to the worship of Artemis. The Amazon queen spent most of her time in that location but she did roam around the countryside visiting her subjects. Artemis was the main goddess of the Amazons because it was she that wanted the young girls to reject men. But Artemis was not against men. She just wanted the girls to be mature enough to take care of their babies. Artemis was also a huntress and that also appealed to the Amazon's. For their festival of Artemis the Amazons dressed in the skins and heads of deer. One of them dressed as Artemis would chase them with her dogs in a mock hunt. A deer would be produced so that the festival would end with a great banquet.
Otrere, Peace Queen of the Amazons, was one of the first queens of the Amazons. After their arrival in Themiscyra the Amazons thought they could live in peace. What they found was that the men of distant lands often raided their community. Sometimes the men captured women and made them wives. More often the made them slaves. They often never heard from these women again, which gave rise to stories of abuse and even death. Worse yet sometimes the men raped the women and left them for dead. If the woman became pregnant and bore a child the Amazons were happy with this, but they did not like the abuse the women received. They were even more incensed when the men tortured women and killed them wantonly. They consulted their neighbors on this problem and found that the solution was simple. Either they would have to hire men to protect them or they had to protect themselves.
Picture of Amazon's Preparing for Battle
Otere secluded herself in a mountain retreat to consider this problem. To reduce her distraction she stripped naked and prayed to the gods. As the sun set the warm winds caressed her skin. As twilight settled she danced on the grass. As the night came in Ares answered her prayers and came to embrace her. They lay on the grass in delightful love. As a result a child was conceived. And Otere's thoughts turned from peace to war. The next morning she bathed in a mountain stream, dressed, and left for home. She returned from her retreat the next morning and announced that she would begin training Amazon's for war.
Picture of Queen Otrera dancing for Ares
One result of Otere's love tryst was her conviction that war was the solution to the protection of her women. The other result was that she was pregnant with Hippolyte. Even though she was very active Otere's pregnancy went well. Both her breasts and belly swelled. When it was time to give birth she stripped off her clothes, squatted on the ground in the lap of another Amazon while a third Amazon eased the baby out of her womb. The baby was washed and put to Otere's breast. The baby took her milk strongly. Otere responded to the challenge by eating well and grooming herself well. She kept her baby with her and she thrived.
Until she was six Hippolyte spent her life entirely in the nude. This was the Amazon way that made things easier on her mother. In the tent life that they had the little girl had to learn to urinate and defecate in a chamber pot. She mastered this and many other skills including bathing and eating her own food. Her mother gave her toys to play with including hoops, baskets, strings of beads and toy animals. She went with her mother to watch the Amazons drill. It was not long before she was imitating them. She would run, throw sticks, and stab as with a sword. She became very swift and strong. She was lucky that her mother knew how to read and write because her mother taught her these things also. Many of the Amazons did not know how to read and write because women were not often taught these things on Crete. But the Amazons soon learned that these skills were necessary when dealing with matters of trade. The few who knew how to read and write became very important. Schools were begun so that some of the younger Amazons could also learn these skills. As Otere was a queen she did not use her language in trade, but she did record prayers, spells, incantations, and recipes for potions. She also recorded some statements of her accounts and holdings. She began to teach Hippolyte all these things. She also saw to it that these subjects were taught in the schools. Because of the use of reading and writing for prayers, spells, incantations and potions, for many these were learned for religious purposes.
After Hippolyte was 7 she left her mother each day to go to school. Because she was the daughter of the queen she had both as slave and a tutor. While she and the tutor wore lose garments the slave was a naked girl. Mainly the slave carried books, writing instruments and other school supplies. The tutor always carrier one or more notebooks on which to take notes. The school was held in a tent next to a large tree. In good weather classes were held under the tree. The tent had a large canopy like flap that shielded the class from sun and light rain. The class moved into the tent only when the weather was severe. There was one teacher who was in charge of the school. She arranged for other teachers as necessary and as availability. Since some of the best teachers were men who lived on the east coast of the Aegean sea arrangements had to be carefully made and at great expense. When one of these visitors came the school would swell with extra visitors who wanted to learn from the great teacher. Some times a bard would pass through and the students would listen to one epic poem after another. But most days were spent reading and writing, working math problems, playing music and exercising in gym. Usually the teacher spoke and the students listened and took notes. The tutors listened and took notes too. The slaves could listen but they could not take notes. But only the students answered the teachers questions. The tutors would not speak until they got home. Then they asked the student questions.
Picture of Queen Hippolyte as a child
During the exercise class the students performed in the nude while the tutors and slaves watched. The students did exercises, ran races, threw the javelin, shot bows and arrows and sometimes got to ride horseback. On some occaisions teams were formed and the students had mock battles. The battles were rough but there was little physical contact. Victory was usually determined by missles in a target or who got to a point first.
When Hippolyte was older Otere prepared her for sex. Because Amazon women would probably have a brief sexual encounter they had to be very responsive. She learned that in order for a man to get her pregnant he would have to ejaculate into her vagina. Some men on their first encounter had to be encouraged. She learned the importance of her visual impact and how to wiggle and dance in a sexy manner. She also learned that it was helpful to stroke the man's member. Oral and anal sex were not that helpful because these methods were used by girls who were not trying to get pregnant. She learned the value of kissing and rubbing the man's body. Finally she learned that there was a spot inside the man's anus that might need to be rubbed in order to get the semen to flow. In order to keep herself prepared she learned to masturbate and enlarge her vagina with her fingers so her hymen would not be torn when she had sex.
The whole community looked forward to the arrival of an itinerant bard. Each time he came he spent time not only at the school but also wandering around the community. The bard would go to anywhere the people congregated. He would present not only the old epics that the people wanted to hear, but also the new poetry that contained the news of the day. They learned of distant wars, catastrophes and opportunities. Instead of following sports heroes they followed the exploits of real heroes. Herakles was the subject of poetry in his own lifetime. Poetry was used not just because it was beautiful, but also because it was easier to memorize and speak. The rhyme and rhythm of poetry allowed the poem to be longer and more accurately spoken. The bard was well paid for his news. An like the newspaper boy of later days each bard had a particular route that he followed. This route would include capital and port cites where news could be gathered. And then it included more remote cities where it could be spread. If the news was fresh he would have to versify it himself. But if he heard it second hand it might already be in the form of a poem. The bard that came to Themiscyra had to travel to Troy and Smyrna on the coast of the Aegean Sea.
When an Amazon girl reached the age of puberty she had to undertake an initiation ceremony. Puberty was determined by the presence of molars and pubic hair. This is about the time some girls begin to menstruate. She had to prove that she is capable of being a sexual adult. To to this she has to perform a special dance. This dance is a duo performed with an Amazon partner dressed up as a man complete with a false member. Her partner wears an mask and breatplate to hide her breasts. The first part of the dance allows her to demonstrate her use of weapons so that she can defend the community. Then she must expose her body so that it is seen as complete and desirable. Lastly she must impale herself on the false member of her partner to prove that she is ready for sex. There is no doubt that this is a fertility ceremony as the last act involves fruits and vegetables passed between her legs as though she had given birth to them. though she is giving birth to them. Finally there is a celebratory banquet.
As Hippolyte got older she participated in the Amazon version of the Olympics. The Olympics involve a religious festival for Zeus. The Amazons have a religious festival for Artemis. As with the Olympics all the events are performed in the nude. The events are those that best prepare the Amazons for war. They did running, javelin, archery, and horse racing. The horse racing included only bare back riding and no chariots. Hippolyte was a beautiful and dedicated participant, but she never won a wreath.
When Hippolyte was sixteen Otere was killed in a hunting accident. In addition to her crown she was given a special girdle. The nature of Hippolyte's girdle is the subject of much debate. First it should be noted that recent archeology indicates that the ceremonial dress of the Minoans and Mycenaeans was similar and consisted of a vest that revealed the breast, a fluffy skirt that is deeply flounsced, and a girdle-like belt. Since this is the dress of priestesses and queens, Hippolyte must have worn something very similar. But the girdle of the Myceneans may actually held up a skirt while there have been girdles with a much more symbolic meaning. The stories of Aphrodite suggest some possbilities. And Homer mentions Aprons that are worn as armor. In addition the Minoan art contains pictures of garments with apron-like atachments. The most likely interpretation is that it was an apron-like garment symbolic of her position.
Hippolyte ruled during a period of peace and prosperity. But this was only the result of constant dilligence. Hippolyte, for her part was in constant communication with her subjects. She would often be out mingling in the bazar next to the palace compound. Not only did the Amazon's bring their wares but foreigners as well. This is where the Amazon's could come to buy their necessities. Hippolyte was in the market when the news first came of the arrival of a ship. Any ship that landed on Amazon territory was the subject of some discussion, but the talk about this ship was particularly exciting. Herakles was on board and the people getting off the ship gave strange stories of his purpose and his power. And some of his companions seemed to have a military purpose that was somewhat threatening.
Picture of Queen Hippolyte and her generals
The curiosity of Hippolyte was tweaked. Soon his emissaries arrived and she was able to talk to them herself. They had left the ship before it had landed and was dragged ashore. While she talked the crew dragged the ship onto the sandy beach of the Black sea near Themiscyra. They set up a tent camp on the beach as though they were going to visit awhile. There were a number of tents with separate tents for the officers and several tents for the crew.
Herakles had heard many stories of the Amazons and he wanted to check them out before he made formal contact. He sneaked toward the Amazon camp to spy on them. Melanippe, the youngest sister of Hippolyte had wandered afield picking berries. Herakles was able to capture this beautiful girl and carry her back to the hold of his ship. There he tied her up to the mast. She was disgusted with his rough treatment of her because she thought she was being raped and she very much wanted to become pregnant. She was afraid that Heracles did not want to have sex with her because she was too young. She wanted him to strip her so she could prove how sexy she was. He quickly complied and was easily overcome by her charms. He proceeded to satisfy her by having sex with her and making her pregnant. He learned from her that the Amazons were indeed all women and some of them were very sexy and easy to please. But he also learned that some of them were ready to fight to protect their society. The stories about about Amazons having only one breast was not true of Melanippe and probably not true of any other Amazon either. Herakles let Melanippe go because she wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret and did not want to talk about her visit with Herakles.
Picture of Queen Hippolyte at the time of the story
Hippolyte decided to visit Heracles herself. She had heard that he was such a fine specimen that she toyed with the idea of having him father a child. She returned to her Queen's tent and found a formal outfit for herself. She then announced her intentions to her retainers and group of them made up a procession from Themiscyra down to the beach. She arrived at the tents by the ship with some fanfare and was met by some people in an official capacity. When Herakles was notified of the arrival of Hippolyte he was pleased. It would be much easier to deal with her on a one to one basis. He offered to entertain her at his tent. When she arrived she was immediately taken with his presense and radiant glow. She was a beautiful woman with a glow of her own. When he asked for her girdle she was only too happy to give it to him. It was just the first of all her garments that she would remove. She teased him by slowly removing her garments to get comfortable. Before long she was totally nude and she began to wiggle and dance. Herakles had to do little because she was so responsive. His mere touch brought a visibly satisfying response. Before long they were locked in a total embrace of lovers. Hyppolyte was successfull in getting the conception that she wanted.
Picture of Queen Hippolyte as she makes a deal with Herakles
This sexual tryst between Herakles and Hippolyte lasted long into the night. Flnally the lovers fell asleep both in the nude. When dawn broke the crew started dragging the ship into the water where it was to be loaded in preparation for departure. Since Hippolyte had not returned the other Amazons became anxious that she would be stolen away. They began to make preparations for a battle that involved her rescue. When Herakles was awakened by the sound of battle he immediately assumed that this was a trap that Hippolyte had set for him. He grabbed his sword and stabbed her nude body right through the heart. She and her baby died without ever awakening. Heracles took her body and threw it at the attacking Amazons. A battle was then fought over the nude body of Hippolyte. The Amazons were distracted enough by the nude body of their queen that they failed to prevent the visitors from packing up their ship and making their escape with the girdle. As soon as the Amazons saw the nude body of their queen they battled to recover it. In this battle Telamon was able to slay the sister of the golden-zoned queen. For his part Herakles battled nine Amazons in succession, Aello, Philipis, Prothe, Eriobea, Deianeira, Asteria, Marpe, Tecmessa, Alcippe, and killed them all. After these nine were killed no Amazon was willing to face Heracles alone. He then faced Celanea with her spear, Euryhe, and Phoebe together and killed them as well. Iphito and Panariste lead the chase against Telamon, Theseus, and Tiamedes. Two foot soldiers attacked Panariste but she killed them, one by strangulation. Panariste was able to knock down Tiamides by throwing her spear. She was then able to behead him by tossing her labrys.
Heracles and his followers moved away from the nude body off the dead queen toward the ship. The Amazons then took this opportunity to gather up their dead queen and move her body away from the ship. This stopped the fighting and Hercules was able to escape with the girdle. The Amazons layed the body of Hippolyte out and cleaned off the clotted blood. They then gathered a large pile of kindling and placed Hippolyte on it. Then they lit the kindling and her body was consumed by the fire. The bones and ashes were placed in a rock cairn at the top of the bluff by the edge of the sea. They assumed she was now in the land of the heroes.
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