thetammyjo
Posts: 6322
Joined: 9/8/2005 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LadyEllen Amazons; you know, it always seemed to me, to be pretty much of a mythical device, the idea of a nation of warrior women. I dont know the earliest reference, but I'm guessing the Golden Fleece (Jason and the Argonauts) could be at least one of the earliest. Earliest written Greek source is Homer's "Illiad" where they are mentioned twice, both in reference to Priam's ealier political and military exploits and that the Amazons are Troy's allies for some reason. Later Greeks would fill in the gaps because Homer was focused on Achilles and his anger and then the death of his best friend (the idea of lovers is also a later development). Greek is the earliest language that mentions Amazons. In terms of visuals, Amazons appear on a door about a century earlier -- perhaps. This involves some interpretation of the images as representing heroes fighting particular enemies. If that interpretation is correct, then the earliest is Achilles' battle with Penthesiliea at Troy. I'd recommend some books and articles on the subject but most of it is very specialized, you'd need archaic and classical Greek and a good grounding in classical studies and history, while the popularized stuff is frankly poor with false citations and little if any concept of author, period, and culture context.
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Love, Peace, Hugs, Kisses, Whips & Chains, TammyJo Check out my website at http://www.thetammyjo.com Or www.tammyjoeckhart.com And my LJ where I post fiction in progress if you "friend" me at http://thetammyjo.livejournal.com/
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