Herakles and the Amazons

Herakles’ relationship with the Amazons is one of sexuality, sorrow, and war.  These themes are strongly evident through the art and literature that has survived through the years. 

Amazons as Warriors

Herakles and his men wore their shields on the left arm by two straps.  Each man stood beside his fellows in unity, protecting one another with their shields.  Amazons are depicted on vases carrying both heavy and light armor, but are more often scattered than the men are.  A moon-shaped, hide-covered shield is shown along with a leather cap to protect their heads.  In some vase paintings, Amazons are shown with only one breast.  This is because the breast got in the way of their archery.  This aided them in battle especially.   

The Ninth Labor In his ninth labor, Herakles is challenged to take the belt of the Amazon queen, Hippolyta.  He strips the belt from her, killing her in the process with his sword.  Sexuality is represented here by the striping of her belt and the phallic image of the sword.  Hippolyta’s girdle is called a zoster and a common word for the Greek woman’s girdle is zone.  For a woman to loosen her zone for a man was a metaphor for her sexual submission.  When Herakles takes Hippolyta’s zoster by force, he symbolically rapes her.

Theseus, Herakles and the Amazons

Theseus, Herakles’ companion, is often compared with Herakles, and their relationships with the Amazons have similarities and differences.  For example, Theseus literally rapes several women, including Antiope, an Amazon.  Herakles kills and then “rapes” Hippolyta, but Theseus rapes and then “kills” Antiope. 

For more information on the story of Herakles and the Amazons, see the Perseus Herakles Exhibit.

Reference: Tyrrell 1984.  (HC)