Reviews the Amazons Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World by Adrienne Mayor
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That said - I cannot feel good about recommending this volume casually, given the way Mayor lays fast and loose with aspects
The good commencement - this volume was a solid case of scholarship that is accessible to the layperson, and Mayor does a skilful chore of surveying the sources and information about Amazons and warrior women from Hellenic republic to China. Her writing is readable and while the archaeological catalogue of grave items can be exhausting, it is clear that Mayor knows a slap-up deal virtually her subject.That said - I cannot feel good about recommending this book casually, given the mode Mayor lays fast and loose with aspects of her scholarship. She seems as well quick to me, for one, to dismiss the thought that Amazons or warrior women in general might be used in myth or folklore to do some kind of cultural work, for instance having to practice with gender roles or the Other, in the service of her point that the "Amazons" were a historical reality. The archaeological show is indeed compelling that in that location were at one time women who fought in ancient warfare, just likewise often Mayor leaps from these discoveries (comprising a quarter of burials found) to equating myth with history. Mayor in general seldom distinguishes between myth or folklore and historical tape, and does footling examining of her sources or their factual reliability. Every aboriginal writing appears to have some ground in factual events. Mayor also seems to lump a large number of cultures together in this book, with little exam of how their differences might exist relevant to the role of warrior women in their myth/history. (This is evident in the frankly lazy way Mayor conflates the terms "Amazon" and "Scythian" with modern indigenous groups.)
In brusque: Mayor'due south critical scholarship seems to have suffered in favor of overemphasizing her thesis that there were real women who were the equals of men. While a large and growing body of archaeological evidence supports her, Mayor stretches too far. In 1 particularly memorable instance, she lovingly imagines a romantic interlude between an Amazon and her lover, complete with tasteful fade to black.
Maybe I am likewise accepted to academic classical scholarship, which constantly hedges its bets and comments on the unreliability of ancient writers. Withal, I practice not experience that circumspection, and careful examination of source material, must be sacrificed for the sake of drama. Mayor's survey of records of warrior women is undoubtedly valuable. Where she falters is the conclusions she draws from these records.
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And it did.
This book is completely fascinating and full of badass ladies. The beginning half is all about the nomadic peoples who lived on the steppes of Central Asia (and p
This volume was...quite frankly, information technology was astonishing. I've been trying recently to read more non-fiction that'south written by women and nearly women, considering sometimes that tin can exist difficult to find, specially when you read predominantly history books. So this 1, even though it cost me $40, seemed similar it would fit the bill perfectly.And information technology did.
This book is completely fascinating and full of badass ladies. The kickoff half is all near the nomadic peoples who lived on the steppes of Primal Asia (and parts of Europe - these people lived basically from Ukraine through Azerbaijan and all the way across to Republic of kazakhstan) and who the Greeks called Amazons.
It deals with the realities of their society and culture besides as Greek myths almost them - no boobs were chopped off in order to shoot meliorate, because their bows simply didn't work that manner. It deals with archaeologists being predisposed to assume that graves containing weaponry belonged to men, and how Dna testing has proved that a significant number of graves containing swords and bows and daggers actually belonged to women. (And, similarly, how many graves containing combs and jewellery actually belonged to men!) Mayor argues that at a minimum, 20-25% of the warriors in Key Asian society were women.
It deals with representations of Amazons on Greek pottery and jewellery, likewise every bit discussing Amazons in Greek myths and legends. And then finally, it talks briefly nigh warrior women in other ancient cultures around the earth - Egypt, India, Persia, People's republic of china. In that location's a cursory mention of Boadicea, only the primary focus is on the Greek globe through to Asia.
On the whole, information technology was very long and quite dumbo, simply thoroughly enjoyable from showtime to finish. 10/10, would recommend.
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The evidence she presents is stiff enough to convince me beyond reasonable doubtfulness that in that location were real women backside the shroud of myth – though that does not hateful that everything you lot've hea
I accept no hesitation whatsoever about recommending this book both to fellow history-lovers and my not-historian friends alike. Mayor covers simply about every aspect that you lot'd ever want to know near the Amazons, from the well-nigh fantastical tales in myth to the practical artefacts of their existent-life counterparts.The evidence she presents is strong enough to convince me beyond reasonable doubt that there were existent women backside the shroud of myth – though that does not mean that everything you've heard about Amazons in mod popular fable should be taken equally true. They most likely originated from distorted retellings of nomadic Scythian tribes, where children larn to ride earlier they are five and men and women alike are needed to protect shifting tribal fortunes in battle. Simply lifelong guiltlessness, women-only groups who seared their breasts and killed or maimed male person infants belongs firmly in the realm of fairytales. I greatly appreciated the fact that, likewise as presenting the copious archaeological evidence for female Scythian warriors who fought and died in battle, Mayor took the time to address and bust these pervasive and ridiculous myths.
Her foray into possible Amazon figures farther afield, in Communist china, India, and Arab republic of egypt, for example, is tangential and barely relevant, but admittedly interesting still. The ane thing I really didn't agree with her about was Alexander and Thalestris; Mayor fails to question the credibility of the key writers, and I was disappointed with how in love with that detail story Mayor seemed to exist, at one bespeak descending into a purely fictional tryst scene which, for me, suggested a personal bias.
Nevertheless, fly in the ointment aside, Mayor'south volume is smoothen and engaging, which should entreatment to the layman reader just equally much as it did to this historian.
nine out of 10
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Reading this book was quite a journeying! And I absolutely enjoyed the whole experience! I mean, if you are someone who'south into ancient Greeks and their culture, myths and legends it's possible you definitely might take heard the name Amazons, the tearing warrior women who gave an incredible touch to the glorious stories of the Greek heroes and helped create a corking Greek nationalism. At that place are many legends revolving around them where they actively involved in the famous Trojan war, their att
4.fiveReading this book was quite a journey! And I absolutely enjoyed the whole experience! I mean, if yous are someone who's into aboriginal Greeks and their civilization, myths and legends it's possible you definitely might have heard the proper noun Amazons, the vehement warrior women who gave an incredible touch to the glorious stories of the Greek heroes and helped create a neat Greek nationalism. There are many legends revolving effectually them where they actively involved in the famous Trojan state of war, their attack on Athens, their encounter with the Argonauts and allow's non forget that i of the twelve labours of Hercules is to go the golden belt endemic by the Amazon queen herself, Hippolyte!
Every then called myth has some kind of reality and historical base of operations, at least the teeny bit. The same goes for the Amazons. The Amazons might not have been really there simply the base of operations for such idea on the vehement armies of women was definitely real in mankind and bones. And these, even the ancient Greek historians admitted, were the horse riding nomadic trible women (sometimes accompanied by men) of Sycthia. Hence the myth of the Amazons wasn't but a conjured up idea of warrior women who fascinated and intimidated the Hellenic cultures where women were rather expected to stay indoors and engage in domestic duties as well as gave posed 'equal' competition to the Greek heroes with whom the Amazons' stories entwined around the laces of romance and tragedy just very much real about whom the ancient Greeks heard from the travellers.
This volume lets you know and understand the nomadic equus caballus rearing collective tribes of Steppes who were broadly called the Scythians of the Steppes who are the original idea behind the Greek mythical women called the Amazons. The author has washed an extraordinarily marvelous job bringing this masterpiece. Backed with the archeological findings, demographical and lifestyles of the nomads of Steppes the author Adrienne Mayor has brought the history and the myth of warrior women chosen Amazons. And then it's sure Amazonian women in the ancient times existed and they weren't just the entire idea that got birthed in the hellenic lands only besides in the regions of Persia, Central Asia and even the Chinese histories extensively talk about these barbaric nomadic women. These (Saka-Samartians-Scythian etcetera) tribes fascinated the patriarchal Greeks and so much that nifty a many people influenced their own ideas on them which led to the common misbeliefs and misconceptions that the Amazons were unmarried breasted man hating warriors.
This book takes the states on a journey into the aboriginal world where the idea of women warriors, gender equality in warfare weren't only pondered and what more *suppressed* merely in fact romanticised over such warrior women who wielded swords, raised armies and won wars. These women have led to the manufactures of and then many legends and folklores. Here'southward the funny thing, almost of these excavated bodies with their weaponry and sometimes horses across the steppes were initially causeless to be males accept turned out to be females, thanks to the avant-garde technologies that help the states understand the sexes.
After giving the etymological and basics regarding the ideas, untangling the misassumptions regarding the Amazons in the first part the author in the adjacent section gives us the most scientific evidences of the horse mounted warrior women across the Steppes. Subsequently on the author presents the famous stories on the Amazons like Hippolyte, Antiope, Panthesilea, Thalestris (mentioned as one of the short term companion of Alexander, the cracking), Hypsicratea, the almost dearest wife and warrior companion of the rex Mithradates forth with whom she posed a threat to the Romans, the Amazons involvement with and confronting the Greeks and Trojans. The concluding department seeks to see these warrior women beyond the greek world and information technology'south apparent that the Persians and even Egyptians endorsed in the idea of the Amazonian women. The primal Asians sociology and oral histories do take terms for such women phonetically similar to the discussion Amazons. She likewise mentions of the warriors of Indian women and states the involvement of the Amazons with the Indians Finally the author halts at the borders of Communist china where the histories, ballads and legends glorified not simply the Chinese women warriors simply also the fierce women of the threatening nomadic tribes. The way the Greeks and the Chinese saw these barbarian equus caballus riding women clashed and contrasted was beautifully speculated by the author. I felt like the author tried to blend the Amazonian women equally well the other women warriors, particularly the Indian and Chinese who seemed to strikingly share the features and similarities with the Amazons in the concluding section. Information technology kind of felt like the author tried to bring them under the huge umbrella term of the Amazons, not equally the mythical figures of the Greek legends merely the huge broad word for every warrior women.
In the stop this is a must read book for everyone who would desire to explore the realities of the women who were fierce and led armies. This book stays true to the histories and the legends and makes a nice blend. However it sometimes might get boring to the reader since for me it seemed to detailed (which is skillful, definitely) then I believe one can go the best out of this book if simply the reader is fix to move through the plain parts which seem besides long and boring. This book I believe should be read to seek knowledge but not simply for the idea of reading this book. This might bore people who are not into historical nonfiction, there'due south a short TED Ed video narrated past the author which might help 1 sympathise the history behind the idea of the Amazons.
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"The archa
5/5 — First I just want to thank Mayor for researching and writing this book. Every bit women, it seems we take to fight to find our herstory. Information technology is empowering to finally have evidence that in antiquity there were warrior women who were 'the equals of men'. What a wonderful journey of discovery I've been on. These warrior women were respected, followed, feared, and desired. In the harsh conditions on the steppes, the boys and girls were raised the same, dressed the aforementioned, and fought the same."The archaeological record proves across a uncertainty that hunter-warrior horsewomen were a historical reality across a great expanse of geography and chronology, from the western Black Sea to northern China, for more a thousand years." The horse was the equalizer as well as the Amazons weapons which "maximize the wielder'due south strengths and compensate for weakness or smaller size."
The word "Amazones" first shows up in The Iliad. I won't go into the linguistics of the word Amazon just suffice it to say that it is covered in some particular. Mayor takes us through the evidence, the art, and the stories. Sharing that "Archaeological discoveries of armed women buried where the ancient Greeks located Amazons provide solid show that horsewomen warriors of steppe cultures actually existed as contemporaries of the Greeks. These flesh-and-claret women were the Amazons described by Greek and Roman historians from Herodotus to Orosius."
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The Amazons was not what I expected. I expected a smattering of well-known sociology superficially retold in an anthology; instead, Mayor put together a vividly detailed historical and cultural analysis on the origin and changing interpretation of tales of Amazons. The work is divided into four parts. In part i, Mayor lays out her thesis; she asserts that tales of the Amazons were not merely cautionary tales the Greeks told themselves a
4.five stars, but possibly v depending on what y'all use it for.The Amazons was not what I expected. I expected a smattering of well-known folklore superficially retold in an album; instead, Mayor put together a vividly detailed historical and cultural assay on the origin and changing interpretation of tales of Amazons. The work is divided into four parts. In function one, Mayor lays out her thesis; she asserts that tales of the Amazons were not merely cautionary tales the Greeks told themselves about the dangers of sexual equality (though they certainly were at that), but a distorted estimation of existent cultures foreign to the Greeks—namely Scythian as well as other steppe cultures from Central Asia—that showed a marked caste of sexual equality. Essentially, Mayor argues that because of the practical necessities of life on the plains, there was greater participation among women in roles that the Greeks accounted the exclusive province of males, which included warfare and hunting. Mayor succinctly lays out her evidence for such a claim in this commencement department and it'south based on a satisfying multifariousness of factors that include estimation of the Amazonian mythological geography, depictions of traditional Amazon costume on Greek pottery and its similarity to the traditional garb of steppe cultures, an test of the osteological prove (in particular, more than contempo evidence that every bit many as 40% of the tombs and barrows unearthed of "male" warriors in the Blackness Ocean region were actually women), as well as linguistic and philological evidence of loan words the Greeks borrowed from Persian or other Cardinal Asian sources. I think she proves her case more than satisfactorily.
Role two contains an analysis of themes from famous Amazon stories to get together a sort of cultural analysis of the Amazonian culture - and a parallel analysis of Central Asian horse civilisation to further strengthen the arguments presented in office i. Here'due south where the analysis tin become somewhat redundant. It almost feels equally if Mayor is worried that her conclusions are going to be dismissed out of hand—and mayhap that's a legitimate fear, when challenging the accepted wisdom of Greek historical orthodoxy subsequently centuries with a thesis that states that the Amazons were, in fact, quite real. Hither Mayor takes great care to bespeak out that the myths themselves aren't to be taken at face value and presents a sort of hybrid interpretation of the traditional stories in the Greek tradition while recounting historical studies of Fundamental Asian cultures. For example, rather than asserting that a real society of ascendant women with no males was the source of the tales, Mayor suggests that the high caste of equality, the confrontation of women warriors in armor and on horseback, the relatively liberal attitudes towards sex led the sexually conservative Greeks to use these cultures as a touchstone for imagining their wildest fears: women holding men in submission, women running society (shudder). Mayor explores manner, drug apply, tattooing, sex, politics, music, and, of course, warfare to prove how stunned Greeks could describe such conclusions and place them in their mythology. Once more, the analysis is thorough, but very repetitive in places (a trouble I'll accost subsequently).
Part 3 is the catalogue of famous Amazon stories that I anticipated would be the bulk of the book. To my surprise in addition to a uncomplicated recounting of tales of women such as Hippolyte and Penthesilea, Mayor once again outdoes herself past recounting alternate versions of the tale and the evolution of the tales through fourth dimension earlier providing a synthesized version that attempts to look for existent historical roots. It's cleverly and exhaustively done and extraordinarily well sourced.
Role four is the icing on the block as Mayor recounts Amazon-similar tales from cultures other than the Greek, including tales from both Red china and Islamic republic of iran, that might once once again pin down the truth and lift the mythological veil. The section is an added bonus I didn't expect.
At that place aren't many shortcomings here. The Amazons is a readable only academically rigorous written report of the mythology and history that highlights the syncretism of Greek and Key Asian culture where they mingled along the edges of the Blackness Bounding main. Mayor herself admits in the introduction that she anticipates her piece of work to be perused in pieces, with the reader choosing what interests them, like an anthology. I strongly suspect that'southward the major reason for her option to echo and weave the same essential facts throughout the narrative. She self-references copiously pointing to other capacity in-text to direct readers to other potential areas of interest and if I was reading this over a longer catamenia of fourth dimension or in pieces, I don't think I'd have found the repetition every bit tiresome as I did trying to nail through it in a couple of sessions. That existence said, I couldn't help but be impressed with the depth and breadth of Mayor's cognition. Everything from osteological archeology to philology is covered in laborious, but fascinating particular. She'south an expert and she's skilful at telling a tale and letting her enthusiasm for her bailiwick shine through. I definitely plan to add this to my collection in the future.
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ThursdayRelease yourself from expectation; powerful Amazons battling legendary Greek heroes; the Diablo ii character class; Wonder Woman'southward civilization. These cultural touchstones are why I came to The Amazons: Lives & Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World just when the book touches on them, they are the least of it. The volume shines when information technology supports its core thesis: real history. And it does this nearly every pace of the way, staying true to its narrative with constant citation and back up:
The equus caballus was the great blaster of males and females on the steppes, probably one of the principal reasons for the nomads' noteworthy gender equality. A skilled archer horsewoman could hold her own confronting men in boxing. Riding horses liberated women, bestowing freedom of motility and an exhilarating, challenging life outdoors.The isolated quote above does zip compared to four hundred pages required to see the book's true power. And I heartily recommend reading Amazons: not merely selections, just the whole book. Hither is why.Amongst the Greeks, only men enjoyed such physical independence in the open air; women were, ideally, confined indoors at home. On the steppes, men and women alike could travel vast distances with changes of horses bred for endurance. Horses leveled out difference in male and female strength, providing the mobility and muscle to ship riders and heavy gear, weapons, armor, household appurtenances, plunder, and large game. Horse riding also demanded comfortable, user-friendly unisex clothes. Because girls could larn to ride, tame, and control horses, and shoot arrows merely as well as boys, the steppe culture was the perfect surroundings for women to become mounted hunters and fighters.
At that place was penciled underlining in the prologue—academia seeping in—before the trail went common cold at the start of Chapter One. Nearly a month passed and I had forgotten the vandal scribe when it picked back up once again in
Part three: Amazons in Greek and Roman Myth, Legend, and History. Someone jumped the line, well-nigh likely, picking out the parts that seemed to be the most highly-seasoned or relevant to their coursework (or curriculum?). A off-white move, acknowledged by the author: "Anticipating that some readers might skip ahead and plow straight to chapters of greatest personal curiosity or interest, I take included plentiful cross-references to relevant discussions." This caveat raised my hackles, but fret not, information technology is no demurral for the padding standard in nonfiction anthologies. In fact, there were at to the lowest degree a dozen times when something was cited—"Archaeologist Polomak described a similar versatility for the long woolen skirt worn by the Water ice Princess (affiliate 6)"—and all i wanted was a refresher on who, exactly, the Water ice Princess was and why her skirt was of import.These coupled rationales—the lack of repetition between capacity and the prima facie uninteresting sections that turn out to be the most fascinating—are more than important than the absurd quotes I want to feed into this review. Out of context, though, the stories of Teuta pirating the Romans without mercy or the Maiden of Yue founding Chinese martial arts theory don't land with the aforementioned impact. The history is of import. Don't skip around.
The Amazons is a long book, but it is paced well. Each chapter builds on or toward a unified whole. Not many nonfiction books tin can say that. ...more than
There's lot'southward of data with this book. I did savour reading and I loved hearing about all the new developments in science that gives more insight into these astonishing women. It also tied in nicely with the last book I read... references to name/times/places that coincided. I enjoyed! ...more
There has been nothing to approach this book before in its test of every piece of evidence from the Greek world.
Then, in a chapter wonderfully titled 'Amazonistan: Central Asia', she looks for the Amazons', or rather Scythians/steppe nomads', own sources. These were oral cultures, tardily written downwards, and she does sideslip into the middle ages, if that is as far back as we tin go.
Information technology's pitched to a 21st century (wide) audition, and I felt information technology normalised towa
'Amazons' were Scythian women, simply.There has been nothing to arroyo this book before in its exam of every piece of evidence from the Greek world.
So, in a chapter wonderfully titled 'Amazonistan: Central Asia', she looks for the Amazons', or rather Scythians/steppe nomads', own sources. These were oral cultures, late written down, and she does skid into the eye ages, if that is as far back equally we tin can go.
It's pitched to a 21st century (wide) audience, and I felt it normalised towards that audience. I'd like more analysis of gender (what Greeks said well-nigh steppe nomad masculinity, as well, for example).
Most certainly recommended.
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This book is incredibly well-researched and comprehensive. It includes the history, the myths and
Filed under Things I Wish I'd Learned in World History when we spent all that time learning about the Greeks and not the Scythians. I am astounded by everything I've learned from this book. And I actually desire to know what gender equality could have looked like if nosotros'd been more influenced by (why couldn't nosotros have been more influenced by???) the nomadic steppe tribes instead of the Greeks and Romans.This book is incredibly well-researched and comprehensive. It includes the history, the myths and legends, the archaeological and linguistic evidence—all of it. From Greece to the Central Asian steppes and even to Cathay. In fact, I picked upward this book for fun while reading books well-nigh women warriors which started with an interest in Mulan retellings, and on the last page, it says, "Thus with Mulan, an Amazon heroine of Chinese legend, nosotros come full circle," which really feels similar a full circle moment for me every bit well. A++ astounding.
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I'm a rather tall adult female. I'm not WNBA tall just I am close to 6 anxiety - I certainly hit 6 feet while in heels and if I'yard wearing heels of 3+ inches I'k over half-dozen feet tall.
Most of my friends and a lot of my family unit is short. I suffered the indignity of being called "Amazon Smurf" for years due to having brusk friends with mean boyfriends.
My husband says that it is not an insult - that all men dream of an Amazon. I say HA! only would lik
So, annihilation can be an insult - it just depends on how y'all say information technology.I'm a rather tall woman. I'm non WNBA tall but I am close to 6 anxiety - I certainly striking half-dozen feet while in heels and if I'yard wearing heels of 3+ inches I'm over half dozen anxiety tall.
Most of my friends and a lot of my family is short. I suffered the indignity of being chosen "Amazon Smurf" for years due to having short friends with mean boyfriends.
My husband says that information technology is not an insult - that all men dream of an Amazon. I say HA! but would like to make my peace with this word.
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This is definitely more of a history book rather than a mythology book, yet, that is why I liked it. It introduced a lot of new archaeological information from the Scythian nomads. It was actually interesting to read most the new technologies existence used to exam old remains; one of the biggest revelations was that up to 30% of warrior tombs that take been found in the area have been revealed to be women thanks
Really interesting read! (very well researched with a large bibliography in the back).This is definitely more than of a history book rather than a mythology book, all the same, that is why I liked information technology. It introduced a lot of new archaeological information from the Scythian nomads. It was actually interesting to read well-nigh the new technologies being used to exam sometime remains; one of the biggest revelations was that up to 30% of warrior tombs that have been found in the area have been revealed to be women cheers to new DNA testing. The writer does a great task at weaving greek and other cultural myths with real history, and paints a expert moving-picture show of who the "amazons" really were in the real globe and non just stories.
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It turns out stories virtually the Amazons were told in many cultures, non only past the Greeks, so
An amazing book which makes the instance, quite persuasively, that the Amazon women of Greek myth were not fictional. They were female Scythian horse archers, and they were real. This is not a light or quick read, as a typical affiliate presents some information nearly the Amazons and then backs upwards it with lots of evidence from archeology and ancient literature. Only the content makes it well worth a close read.It turns out stories about the Amazons were told in many cultures, non just by the Greeks, and then one can contrast and compare ancient accounts of them. Some tantalizing details backed up with archeological evidence: they were tattooed; they were skillful mounted archers; they smoked cannabis; they may have been the first people to domesticate the equus caballus, to work iron, and to habiliment trousers. They did NOT cut off one breast.
If you have an interest in the ancient world, or in women warriors, you should absolutely read this book.
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Overall, a expert read, and one I would probably employ for an academic essay if I was yet in university. I would recommend reading, only behave in listen that the early parts are a footling repetitive and that a lot of the conclusions drawn are speculative.
If using for academia, the notes for each section provide a skillful list of sources and I would advise checking these earlier taking the bear witness presented here as fact. ...more than
I learnt then many things about women warriors!! I'm glad to know that Amazons were, in a way, real persons, and that they are still remembered in certain regions of the earth. I also dearest that the author doesn't only speak about Greeks, only goes from Greece to Cathay.
The author presents myths, historical facts, archeology; there are some repetitions, but she warned the reader in the offset, informing him that there would be indications as to what chapter alludes to another chapter.
T
iv,5 starsI learnt so many things about women warriors!! I'm glad to know that Amazons were, in a way, real persons, and that they are notwithstanding remembered in sure regions of the globe. I also dearest that the author doesn't but speak about Greeks, but goes from Hellenic republic to Red china.
The author presents myths, historical facts, archeology; in that location are some repetitions, but she warned the reader in the beginning, informing him that there would be indications as to what affiliate alludes to another chapter.
The just thing this volume is defective is a conclusion! If but women could be treated similar Amazons were by their male partners!
Now I would similar to ain this book to get back to it regularly!
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Overall a very fun and easy to read volume.
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Relevant.
Ms Mayor traces the cross-cultural presence of female person warriors not only in Scythian society but that of the Chinese steppe region and even Bharat.
Connected at after engagement
For me, the most interesting parts of t
The Amazons is a adequately in-depth look at the ancient mythological stories about Amazons and what they say about ancient Greek and other cultures, and also a fascinating await at the Scythian steppe tribes in which we now are pretty sure women served regularly equally warriors - their horses and archery serving as a great equalizer between the sexes compared to the animal muscle-powered hoplite warfare practiced by the Greeks (and later perfected by the Romans).For me, the most interesting parts of the book were the recent archaeological findings that accept given us some insight into the Scythian tribes and their manner of life. The preponderance of the show now is that prehistoric hunter-gatherer tribes were far more egalitarian, especially between the sexes, then cultures would become afterward agriculture and city-states. The Scythians were still fairly primitive at the time of the ancient Greeks and this book makes a pretty strong instance that they probably retained a fairly egalitarian society in which women retained most of their autonomy and were at to the lowest degree sometimes, and mayhap oft, allowed to train as warriors. The Greeks had early contact with the Scythians in Asia Minor and effectually the Black Sea, and the book shows how the traditional Scythian wearing apparel and names found their mode into Greek culture as depictions of Amazons.
The Amazons has a bit of an academic experience, and for the amateur historian it tin be a bit of a slog at times. But it'southward worth getting through for its terrific wait at myth, legend, symbolism, and history, and where they collide. My knowledge of the ancient globe and Greek and Roman civilization is not insignificant, and I institute a lot of this volume totally new to me and incredibly fascinating. If y'all have an interest in this time period and these cultures I would highly recommend information technology.
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I was non to be disappointed. Mayor, a lo
Browsing volume store shelves, I establish myself in the History aisle, which I oftentimes exercise. Playing in my unconscious are always little questions. Being a person with a history caste and a comic book geek one of those questions was -- What is the reality backside Amazons? Lo and behold sitting on the shelf in front of my was this book and one other. As I compared the two, I put the other one on the shelf and ultimately walked out with Adrienne Mayor's The Amazons.I was not to be disappointed. Mayor, a long continuing Stanford professor and authority on the subject of the ancient western globe, presents the reading public with an extremely readable and well researched account of what could accept contributed to the current Amazon myth so widely played with in popular fiction, comics, and movies. Through the reinterpretation of data, Deoxyribonucleic acid analysis, she provides a fresh view that avoids maligning the previous male dominated theories. She simply provides a different and more compelling view to what has been before our eyes for a long time. Through her adapt writing mode and no nonsense presentation of the new data in contrast to former schools of idea, she provides logical and complex arguments to where the Amazon myths of the globe have more than likely come up from.
For anyone curious about what is behind the concept of Wonder Woman and other older legends of the Amazons, I strongly recommend this volume. The only weakness in it, I would dare say, is it does non take a strong determination to the volume or summing up. Merely, I feel, Dr. Mayor has not said her last on the subject area.
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One example: When archeologists in the 20th century examined the bur
This volume is like a delicious loving cup of creamy java. Information technology'due south history mixed with all the skilful things in life: girls, weapons, heroes, legends, and fashion. Mayor cleverly picks apart the "myth" of the Amazons and reveals how many of the stories were based on historical realities of the nomadic cultures of the Scythians. And she shows how stories of the Amazons accept been overlooked past historians in a specular brandish of gender bias.1 case: When archeologists in the 20th century examined the burying pits of ancient Scythians, they found skeletons buried with their weapons, with war wounds covering their bones. The archeologists, wearing the blinders of inherent sexism, just assumed the interred were men.
Only they weren't. Many of them were women. Scythian women fought alongside men and rode horses like men and wore pants like men and smoked hashish like men and died in battle similar men.
To the Ancient Greeks, whose women were kept behind closed doors, with virtually no rights of their own, in a society that was sedentary and divided in gender roles, these nomadic women would accept been shocking, to say the least. Legends were made most them--some accurate, many exoticizing, and Mayor's book combs through art, literature, epic poetry, songs, folk tales, and even current cultural practices of Key Asia to reveal bits of truth about the existent Amazons.
This is ane to keep your shelf.
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