The image of the Amazons in the Libyan imagination is associated with the strong woman who carved her place as a horse rider and warrior. Historical research indicates the roots of Amazonian tribes that settled in western Libya, especially in Fezzan, forming women’s societies characterized by military organization and Bedouin traditions that enhanced their fighting skills. They excelled in archery and possessed war strategies that made them a symbol of strength, according to the oral tales passed down through generations, which blended reality and fantasy.
Perhaps the most prominent historical references came from the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus in his third book, which confirmed the existence of ancient Libyan societies ruled by women militarily and politically, while the role of men was limited to housework and raising children. Diodorus described a unique social system, where girls undergo rigorous military training under the leadership of Queen Myrina, who led them in expansionist battles until they reached the outskirts of Egypt and Asia Minor. The historian divided the fighters into two groups: the “good” Amazons, and the Gorgons, who were associated with terrifying myths.
In a related context, the scientist Isaac Newton, quoting Diodorus, referred to the alliance of the Libyan Amazons with the god Dionysus (Bacchus) in his wars in Athens, during which Myrina and hundreds of fighters fell, which adds a mythical dimension to their story.
But the legend is no longer just tales. Recent archaeological discoveries have revealed graves of women buried with their weapons in North Africa, and DNA analyzes confirmed that these remains belong to warriors who lived thousands of years ago, which supports the hypothesis of the existence of armed women’s societies in Libyan history.
Today, the Amazons have become a cultural icon that embodies the will of Libyan women and their challenge to difficulties, as they are inspired by artistic and social movements as a symbol of empowerment and challenge. Despite the academic debate about the details of their biography, their story remains a testament to the intersection of history with legend in shaping Libya’s cultural identity.
The Origin of the Name Amazons
For a long time, there was a misconception that the origin of the name “Amazons” was attributed to the Amazon River in Latin America. The name was associated with the discovery of the Portuguese explorer “Francisco de Orellana” in the sixteenth century, who named the river after encountering a group of female warriors who fiercely defended their tribes, their courage evoking the image of the mythical Amazons in his mind.
However, the true roots of the name go back to ancient times, as Greek sources indicate that the term was used to refer to female fighters from Libya, led by a woman named “Murina”, where they formed an invincible army of women armored with snake skins, cloaked in black, known for their quick wit, strength, and driven by an insatiable desire to avenge their enemies.
These fighters were known by many names that reflect their appearance and myths, such as “Guardians of the Golden Apples” and “Nymphs of the West”, and they were also called “Black Doves” in reference to their clothing and ferocity.
As for their original home, recent studies indicate that the regions of the Nafusa Mountains and Murzuq in Libya may be the cradle in which these combat groups originated, linking the myth to the geographical reality of that region.
Queen Myrina’s Military Campaigns:
Queen Myrina led her massive female army, which included only black female fighters, in a series of bloody raids that changed the face of the region. She began her campaign by completely destroying the kingdom of “Gorgos”, where she annihilated its resistance and enslaved the surviving men, showing limitless brutality. Myrina was known for the absence of any sympathy or mercy in her treatment of males, which was reflected in her systematic massacres and the number of victims who fell dead or enslaved under her rule.
Her sights later turned towards neighboring Egypt as a strategic target, but the pharaohs avoided direct confrontation through clever negotiation. They were able to convince her to accept a huge annual financial tribute in exchange for her recognition of Egypt’s sovereignty and the cessation of her army’s advance towards its lands. With her acceptance of the deal, the paths of her invasion deviated eastward across Egyptian territories to Palestine, then penetrated northwards towards Syria and the Anatolian regions, leaving behind devastated arenas and evidence of historical atrocities, where in her march she did not leave a single settlement without turning it into rubble.
The Libyan Amazons’ army caused destruction surpassing even the Crusades and were more ruthless than the armies of Hulagu. History records that the land of Anatolia never witnessed a more devastating army than that of the Libyan Amazons, as fortresses fell one after another before them.
These women reached the Aegean Sea, where they decided to stop and settle.
In another part of Anatolia, on the Black Sea coast, lies the city of Sinop in the far north of Turkey. Some historians suggest a kinship between the Libyan Amazon women and the Amazon women of Turkish Sinop, but there is no historical evidence for this, as sources do not mention the Libyan women moving towards the Black Sea or reaching Sinop.
According to other accounts, the Libyan women who settled in the Aegean brought many unique structures and statues to Anatolia, including the famous “Temple of Artemis.” Some historians believe that the Libyan warrior women were influenced by Anatolian civilization after settling in the region, which led them to stop the expansion and conquest they had begun in Anatolia.
Queen Myrina led the Libyan Amazons in fierce wars, bringing them to a prominent position in the ancient world. After her death, the Libyan women made a decision to return to their homeland, leaving behind the lands they had conquered, including the coasts of the Aegean Sea, Anatolia, and their possessions in Greece. This withdrawal, as some accounts mention, inadvertently opened the door for Western European influence in Greece.
This ancient historical period, where reality and myth intertwined, represents the Libyan Amazons as a symbol of strength and courage in ancient Libyan history. Their names have been associated with resilience and resistance in the face of military and social challenges, and these legends continue to be circulated today as a symbol of inspiration and challenge in facing difficulties.