Who Were The Amazons? -- Max Dashu Interview -- Encore Presentation
Apr 22, 2023
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Max Dashu discusses her research into warrior women called 'Amazons.' They explore the perception of Amazons in Ancient Greek society, representation of Amazons in art, connections between ancient cultures and the Amazons, interchange between humans and bulls in ancient societies, archaeological findings and legends of the Amazons, and patriarchal suppression and the myth of the Amazons.
The association of Amazons with the Amazon dance suggests a cultural element of Eurasian steppe cultures that is often overlooked.
Greek writers heavily mythologized Amazons, projecting their cultural beliefs onto them and turning them into enemies to reinforce male dominance.
Archaeological evidence suggests the existence of a historically-based female-centered culture in the Eurasian steppe region that may have been associated with the legend of the Amazons.
Deep dives
The Cultural Significance of the Amazon Dance
The podcast explores the association of Amazons with the Amazon dance, a form of ecstatic dance depicted in Greek face paintings. The dance involves women dressed in long sleeves and trousers, bent from the waist with arms reached forward and hands clasped together. This dance is similar to the kicking dance known as the cossack dance. The connection between this dance and Amazons suggests a cultural element of Eurasian steppe cultures that is often overlooked.
The Misrepresentation of Amazons by Greek Writers
The podcast highlights the misrepresentation of Amazons by Greek writers who projected their own cultural beliefs and biases onto these warrior women. The Greeks heavily mythologized Amazons, often associating them with unnatural behaviors and turning them into enemies that needed to be subdued. The stories of heroes like Heracles raping an Amazon queen and the legends of Amazons invading Greece were created to reinforce the Greek narrative of taming these so-called unnatural women.
Archaeological Evidence of Female Warriors in the Eurasian Steppe
The podcast discusses the archaeological evidence of armed women and high-status females in the Eurasian steppe cultures, such as the Sarmatians in the Ukraine. Excavations have revealed gold metalwork showing women holding mirrors, winged goddesses, and women with serpent or fish-like features. The presence of these cultural elements suggests the existence of a historically-based female-centered culture in the region that may have been associated with the legend of the Amazons.
The Influence of Patriarchy on Greek Mythology
Greek mythology, including stories about the Trojan War, needs to be interpreted through the lens of a patriarchal society that aimed to tell stories that would resonate with its audience. The mythical depictions of Amazons and other powerful women in Greek mythology often serve to reinforce male dominance and subdue the role of women. While these stories may not accurately reflect historical events, they offer insights into the patriarchal ideology prevalent in ancient Greece.
Examining the Amazons and Other Female-Ruled Tribes
Early Greek sources, such as Skilax of Cariandia, mention tribes like the Sarmatians, the Cinti, and the Sinti, who were believed to be ruled by women. These tribes were labeled as 'Guanokratumene' or 'those who are ruled by women.' The Greeks, with their patriarchal perspective, often framed societies where women held power and an egalitarian ethos as female domination or rulership, overlooking the possibility of cooperative systems of governance. While the concept of Amazons as imperial conquerors may be questioned, it is crucial to investigate and piece together the historical realities of these female-led cultures through archaeological evidence and other sources.
The Amazons are our inspiration and we thought it would be good to introduce our new listeners to some of discussions on the topic.
In a wonderful, spirited discussion, we present and encore episode in which Max Dashu discusses her research into the warrior women called "Amazons." How did the Ancient Greek conception of femaleness shape the stories of Amazons that we know today? What is the relationship of Amazon concept to the warrior tribes that existed in the Black Sea region? Was there really a standalone tribe of warrior women?
Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden discuss these concepts with Max.
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