The New Student's Reference Work/Amazons

Am'azons, in Greek legend, a war-like race of women living in Asia Minor near the shore of the Black Sea. The mythical town of Themiscyra, on the river Thermodon, was the capital of their state. Their name probably came from a Greek word, meaning breastless, and referred to their habit of cutting off the right breast to give them greater freedom in the use of the bow. The Greeks told a number of stories of their contests with these women. The heroes, Bellerophon and Hercules, defeated them, and Theseus of Athens captured their princess Antiope. In revenge they invaded Attica and were defeated. They also fought in the Trojan War against the Greeks, and Achilles engaged in single combat and slew their queen, Penthesilea. They are represented in Greek sculpture armed with a bow, spear and axe, and carrying a half-shield.