 |
 Land
of the Amazons, 1332 - 1336
|
| |
|
These
stories of the Amazons come
from Greek mythology. These
female warriors were supposed
to have fought with the Trojans
against the Greeks and, at another
time, to have attacked Athens.
From
Sir John Mandeville, 'Travels'.
This is one of the most famous
travel books of the Middle Ages.
|
| |
|
|
| |
Next
to Chaldea is the land of
Amazoun [the Amazons], which
we call the Maiden Land
or the Land of Women; no
man lives there, only women.
This is not because, as
some say, no man can live
there, but because the women
will not allow men to rule
the kingdom. There was once
a king in that land called
Colopheus, and there were
once men living there as
they do elsewhere. It so
happened that this king
went to war with the King
of Scythia, and was slain
with all his great men in
battle with his enemy. And
when the Queen and the other
ladies of that land heard
the news that the King and
the lords were slain, they
marshalled themselves with
one accord and armed themselves
well. They took a great
army of women and slaughtered
all the men left among them.
And since that time they
will never let a man live
with them more than seven
days, nor will they allow
a boy child to be brought
up among them. But when
they want to have the company
of man, they go to that
side of their country where
their lovers live, stay
with them eight or nine
days and then go home again.
If any of them bears a child
and it is a son, they keep
it until it can speak and
walk and eat by itself and
then they send it to the
father - or they kill it.
If they have a girl child,
they cut off one of her
breasts and cauterize it;
in the case of a woman of
great estate, the left one,
so that she can carry her
shield better, and, in one
of low degree, they cut
off the right, so that it
will not hinder them shooting
- for they know very well
the skill of the archery.
There is always a queen
to rule that land, and they
all obey her. This queen
is always chosen by election,
for they choose the woman
who is the best fighter.
These women are noble and
wise warriors; and therefore
kings of neighbouring realms
hire them to help them in
their wars. This land of
the Amazons is an island,
surrounded by water, except
at two points where there
are two ways in.
|
|
|
|
|
Source
13: Land of the Amazons 
