A 'Who's Who' in the Amazon Nation

There were many Amazons who contributed enormously to their calling; too numerous to mention, but below we have tried to mention and honour by way of a 'roll call' a few of the more famous (or infamous!) ones... The better known Amazons amongst the fearsome women warriors of the Ancients (even if not much is known about some of them!) have been listed here in alphabetical order.

Aello

Aello was one of Queen Hippolyte's (the 1st) Amazons. She was the first to attack Herakles when he came for the Queens mystic girdle as one of his labours. Unfortunately, Herakles having slain 'the Lion' from his first labour, now wore the lion skin, making him invulnerable. Aello could not kill Herakles and was so killed herself.

Ainia

Ainia was an Amazon who fought with Penthesilea at Troy. She was the enemy of Achilles and fought against him. Her name means "Swiftness."

Ainippe

After Queen after Hippolyte (1) was killed, Ainippe was one of the many Amazons who went after Herakles' captains in order to avenge the death of their Queen. Her name means "Swift Mare."

Alcibie

Alcibie was one of the twelve Amazons fought and fell with Penthesilea at Troy.

Alcinoe

Alcinoe was an Amazon under the command of Queen Andromache. Her name means "Mighty Wisdom".

Alcippe

Alcippe was one of Queen Hippolyte's Amazons. She was the ninth and last Amazon to die by Herakles' hand in single combat in the struggle to defend the Queen and her girdle. After her death, the Amazons fought in force. Her name means "Powerful Mare."

Alkaia

Alkaia was one of the Amazon generals of Queen Andromache's command. Her name means "Mighty One."

Amynomene

Amynomene was an Amazon serving under the Amazon Queen Orithia in the Attic War. Her name means "Blameless Defender."

Anaea

Anaea was a Thermodon Amazon and a conqueror. She named a city after herself and her tomb lies there.

Anaxilea

Anaxilea was an Amazon whose name reflected that she was believed to be of royal blood.

Androdameia

Androdameia was an Amazon warrior who fought in the Attic War. Her name means "Subduer of Men."

Andromache

Andromache was a great Amazon Queen. Her name means "Man Fighter."

Andromeda

Andromeda was an Amazon who served the Amazon Queen Andromache. Her name means "Ruler of Men."

Antandre

Antandre fought and died with Queen Penthesilea at Troy. Her name means "Preceding Men."

Antianara

Antianara was the Amazon Queen of the Thermodon Amazons who succeeded Queen Penthesilea after Penthesilea was killed by Achilles at Troy.

Antianeira

Antianeira was an Amazon in the Attic War and she duelled with Theseus in single combat.

Antibrote

Antibrote was one of the band of twelve hand picked Amazons who helped the young Queen Penthesilea temporarily liberate Troy.

Antimache

Antimache served under Queen Andromache. Her name means "Confronting Warrior."

Antimachos

Antimachos was an Amazon warrior who fought in the Attic War.

Antiope

Antiope was queen of the Amazons when Theseus of Athens attacked. When she was defeated, she was alledgely kidnapped, but is said to have 'married' Theseus and bore his son, Hippolytus (named after Queen Hippolyte). By one account, Antiope survived the battle between the Amazons and Theseus, only then to be betrayed by the Athenian king, who married another. Antiope attacked on the day of the wedding with her Amazons. She had planned to massacre the guests. It took Theseus, his companions and the invincible Herakles to eventually kill her. Her name means "Confronting Moon."

Areto

Areto was an Amazon who went with Pantariste to kill the captains and soldiers of Herakles so avenging the murder of their Queen Hippolyte. The Amazons won this battle. Her name means "Unspeakable."

Antiopeia

Antiopeia was an Amazon archer in the Attic War.

Areximacha

Areximacha was an Amazon under the command of Queen Andromache.

Aristomache

Aristomache was an Amazon who fought the enemy Mounichos in the Attic War. Her name means "Best of Warriors."

Asteria

Asteria was named in favour of the Titan mother of Hecate. She was the sixth Amazon warrior slain by Herakles in single combat when he came for Queen Hippolyte's girdle. Even though the Amazons knew he was invulnerable, they still chose to fight honourably and bravely, challenging him one by one. Nine were to die by Herakles' hand. Her name means "Of the Sky."

Bremusa

Bremusa was an Amazon who was one of Penthesilea's twelve warrior companions fighting at Troy, where she died. Her name means "Raging Female."

Celaneo

Celaneo was an Amazon under Queen Hippolyte (1) whose best weapon was a spear. She fought with Euryhe and Phoebe, always standing shoulder to shoulder in combat. They were killed by Herakles in his quest for Queen Hyppolyte's girdle.

Clete

Clete (or Cleite) was an Amazon Queen, sailing to join Penthesilea at Troy, Bad or good fortune befell her when she was blown off course. She eventually landed in Italy and founded the city of Clete. Her name means "The Invoked."

Clyemne

Clyemne was an Amazon warrior of note at the Attic war who fought both Theseus and Phaleros in single combat. Her name means "Famous Might."

Deianeira

Deianeira was the fifth Amazon warrior killed by Herakles in single combat during his ninth labour. Her name means "Strings Together Spoils."

Deinomache

Deinomache was an Amazon warrior in the Attic War. Her name means Terrible Warrior."

Derimacheia

Derimacheia was one of the twelve Amazon companions of Queen Penthesilea fighting at Troy.

Derinoe

Derinoe was an Amazon warrior who fought for Queen Penthesilea at Troy. She killed Laogonus in single combat.

Doris

Doris was an Amazon named in favour of a sea-goddess. She was a spear-woman in the Attic War. Her name means "Bountiful."

Echephyle

Echephyle fought Eudorus in single combat in the Attic War. Her name means "Chief Defender."

Eriobea

Eriobea was an Amazon who served under Queen Hippolyte. She was the fourth killed by Herakles in single combat.

Eumache

Eumache was an Amazon archer during the Attic War, who once disarmed and out of arrows, fought with a stone! Her name means "Good Fighter."

Eurybe

Eurybe was an Amazon who excelled in the use of the spear. She always fought in an unbeatable pattern with Phoebe and Celaneo. Unfortunately, they were killed by Herakles when their spears broke against the lion's skin he wore from his first labour which made him invincible. The three were killed with one sword stroke. Her name means "Grand Strength."

Euryleia

Euryleia was an Amazon warrior fought in the Attic War. Her name means "Woman Wanderer."

Harmothoe

Harmothoe was an Amazon warrior at the side of Queen Penthesilea at Troy. Her name means "Sharp Nail."

Hipp

Hipp was an Amazon Queen. She worked together with the Amazon Queen Marpesia and was said to have founded the cities, Ephesus, Smyrna, Cyrene and Myrine. It is supposed that Hipp also built a temple to Artemis in Ephesus that remains one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Her name means "Horse."

Hippolyte I

Hippolyte was an Amazon Queen who was the daughter of the great mother Otrera and Ares, God of War. Herakles' ninth labour was to take Hippolyte's war girdle which was a gift from her father, Ares. When Herakles came, Hippolyte was impressed with his strength and so gave him the girdle. But when Hera, Queen of the Gods and step-mother to Herakles saw this, she told Hippolyte's Amazons that Herakles, whom she hated, was there to abduct their Queen. The Amazons attacked Herakles, and during the battle, Queen Hippolyte was killed. Her name means "Of the Stampeding Horse."

Hippolyte II

Hippolyte II was the Amazon Queen and a sister of Penthesilea. While the two were hunting together, Penthesilea accidentally killed her. Penthesilea was so shocked and ashamed, that she left the Amazons tribe, taking twelve of her hand picked Amazon warriors with her to fight at Troy.

Hippomache

Hippomache was a warrior who fought at the Attic War.

Hippothoe

Hippothoe fought and fell with Queen Penthesilea at Troy. Her name means "Imperious Mare."

Hypsipyle

Hypsipyle was an Amazon under Queen Hippolyte I. She helped in the fight against Herakles' captains. Her name means "Of the High Gate."

Iphito

Iphito served under Queen Hippolyte 1. She joined in the battle with Pantariste against Herakles' captains, Telamon, Theseus and Tiamides.

Kleoptoleme

Kleoptoleme was an Amazon under Queen Andromache.

Kreousa

Kreousa was an Amazon who was killed by Phylakos in single combat in the Attic War.

Kydoime

Kydoime was an Amazon under Queen Andromache.

Laodoke

Laodoke fought with the Amazons in the Attic War.

Lykopis

Lykopis was an Amazon archer under Queen Andromache. Her name means "She-Wolf."

Lysippe

Lysippe was an Amazon Queen. She Settled her Amazons near the Black Sea and was the one who established the policies that Amazons lived by. Lysippe was an intelligent woman, an excellent general and founded the city, Themiskyra. She was killed in battle and became a hero to her people. Her name means "She Who Lets Loose the Horses."

Marpe

Marpe was the seventh Amazon to challenge and be killed by Herakles in his quest for Queen Hippolyte's war girdle.

Marpesia

Marpesia was a powerful Amazon Queen, who ruled with Lampedo. They excelled at building up on the Amazon Empire. The Caucasus Mountains were once called "The Marpesians" as they were named after her. Marpesia was killed by a group of barbarians during an Asian attack. Her name means "The Snatcher."

Melanippe

Melanippe was the sister of Antiope. When Herakles came for Queen Hippolyte's war girdle, Melanippe was captured by this son of Zeus. While a prisoner, she planned a successful mutiny on one of Herakles' ships that freed her and some other captive Amazons. They took the ship, killing the Greeks and cast their bodies overboard. Unfortunately, these Amazons were trained to ride horses and to not sail. As a result they were blown of course and towards the shores of Scythia. There they stole horses and became marauders. Her name means "Black Mare."

Melousa

Melousa was an Amazon in the Attic War, under the command of Orithia.

Mimnousa

Mimnousa fought at the Attic War.

Molpadia

Molpadia was an Amazon warrior who fought for Orithia. Her name means "Death Song."

Okyale

Okyale was an Amazon archer who fought in the Attic war. She also engaged Astyochos in single combat.

Okypous

Okypous was an Amazon under the command of Queen Andromache.

Orithia

Orithia (or Oreithyia) was a daughter of the powerful Amazon Queen Marpesia. When her mother was killed by Asian barbarians, this position fell to her. She forged an alliance with Sagillus, King of Scythia, who sent his son with an army to help the new Queen Orithia avenge her mother's death.

Pantariste

After the death of Queen Hippolyte 1, Herakles' captains fled, Pantariste was the Amazon who lead the chase after them. Two Greek foot soldiers attacked her, but she killed them (killing the second by holding his throat until he choked). She threw her spear at Captain Tiamides, who blocked it with his shield, but the force knocked him to the ground. She then threw her labrys (a double-bladed axe) and beheaded him.

Penthesilea

Penthesilea was the daughter of Orithia and Ares, and she was known for her bravery, her skill in weapons and her wisdom. During a hunt, she accidentally killed her sister the Queen, Hippolyte II. As a result, she was so filled with grief that she set out for Troy (which she liberated) to atone for her sin, though eventually Achilles retook Troy. Penthesilea's Amazons fought for Troy again. Since she was the daughter of Ares (God of War), she was able to kill many warriors at there, before falling herself. Achilles, when removing her helmet, was so stricken by her beauty, was said to have 'loved' her after death.... Her name means "Compelling Men to Mourn."

Philippis

Philippis was the second Amazon warrior of the nine to engage Herakles, one-on-one, after he had killed Queen Hippolyte. She was killed by his hand. Her name means "Woman Who Loves Horses."

Phoebe

Phoebe was the third of the Amazon spear-women with Celaneo and Eurybe. They were killed by Herakles when they attacked him after Queen Hippolyte's death.

Pisto

Pisto was an Amazon under Queen Andromache.

Polemusa

Polemusa was one of the twelve chosen Amazons who accompanied Queen Penthesilea to Troy.

Prothoe

Prothoe was the third Amazon to take on Herakles in single combat after Queen Hippolyte's death. Herakles won however as he was invincible due to the Lion skin he wore from his first labour, so killing her. Her name means "First in Might."

Pyrgomache

Pyrgomache was an Amazon who fought in the Attic War. Her name means "Fiery Warrior."

Scyleia

Scyleia was an Amazon under Queen Andromache.

Tecmessa

Tecmessa was the eighth Amazon warrior to challenge and die by Herakles' hand, in hand-to-hand combat. Her name means "She Who Judges."

Teisipyte

Teisipyte was an Amazon who served under Queen Andromache.

Telepyleia

Telepyleia was an Amazon under Queen Andromache. Her name means "Far Sailing."

Thalestris

Thalestris was an Amazon Queen during the days of Alexander the Great. Alexander met with Thalestris, and they hunted lions together and had thirteen nights of lovemaking (thirteen is a sacred fertility number for moon worshippers, due to the number of moons in a year). She had hoped to have a mighty daughter from Alexander, but she died soon afterward without issue. It has been said that they didn't really appeal to each other but agreed to carry out their duty.

Thermodosa

Thermodosa was one of Queen Penthesilea's twelve chosen Amazon companions at Troy.

Thraso

Thraso was an Amazon under Queen Andromache. Her name means "Confidence."

Toxaris

Toxaris was an Amazon of Queen Andromache's command. Her name means "Archer."

Toxis

Toxis was an archer under Queen Andromache.

Toxophile

Toxophile was an archer under Queen Andromache's command.

Valasca

Valasca (or Dlasta) was an Amazon warrior queen, who ruled for several years in absolute tyranny (a nasty piece of work...). She had the right eye and thumbs of all males removed, to make them useless in battle. She wanted to start a new era for the Amazons but she was cruel and vicious in her haste, having only a small cult of willing and similar minded followers. It was not until she died that "the nation resumed its normal order."

Xanthippe

Xanthippe was an Amazon in the Attic War. Her name means "Yellow Mare."

Perhaps the best known Amazon, apart from Penthesilea was Hippolyte. It is thought however, that this may well have been more of a title than a name, like 'Caesar' or 'Minos' (which is believed to be the ancient for 'High King' or 'honourable'...).