Amazonomachy

An Amazonomachy (English translation: "Amazon battle"; plural, Amazonomachiai Ἀμαζονομαχίαι (Ancient Greek) or Amazonomachies Αμαζονομαχίες (Modern Greek)) was a portrayal of legendary battle between Greeks and Amazons. The mythic all-female warrior society succumbed to the likes of Heracles and Theseus, and symbolised the triumph of Greek or Macedonian civilization over the barbarian.

Examples

• Pheidias represented an Amazonomachy on the shield of the Athena Parthenos, the monumental cult statue of the Parthenon.
• Another representation was painted by Micon, on the Stoa Poikile at the Ancient Agora of Athens.

Gallery

See also

• For discussion of such battles as depicted in mythology, Amazons in Greek Mythology.
• For representation of Amazonomachies as depicted in ancient visual art, see Amazons in Greek & Roman Art.
• For the most famous Amazonomachy, see Attic War.