ANTIOPE QUEEN OF AMAZONS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
In Greek mythology, Antiope was named as an Amazon Queen, a member of the famous tribe of warrior women. Antiope would most closely be associated with the myth of Theseus.
Antiope Daughter of Ares
Antiope was said to be a daughter of the god Ares, born to the god and the Queen of the Amazons, Otrera. Antiope was thus sister of Hippolyta, Penthesileia, and Melanippe.
In Greek mythology, the story of Antiope is often confused with that of her sister Hippolyta.
In Greek mythology, the story of Antiope is often confused with that of her sister Hippolyta.
Antiope and Hippolyta
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Antiope comes to fore when Heracles arrived in Themiscyra. Heracles had been tasked with retrieving the Golden Girdle of Hippolyta as the Ninth Labour allocated by Eurystheus.
Though, Hippolyta would have perhaps given the belt willingly to Heracles, the other Amazons were roused to war by Hera, and in the battle that ensued, Hippolyta was killed, but when Heracles’ boat sailed from Themiscyra, Hippolyta’s sister, Antiope was onboard. |
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Some say of Antiope went willingly, for she had fallen in love with one of Heracles’ comrades, Theseus, whilst others say that she was abducted by Heracles, before being given to Theseus.
Antiope and theseus
Antiope would become Theseus’ first wife, and bore the King of Athens a son, Hippolytus.
Soon afterwards, the Amazons would march upon Athens, in a conflict that would be named the Attic War.
Some tell of the Amazons being led by Orithyia, for the Amazons wished to retrieve Antiope, and also the Girdle of Hippolyta (although the Girdle had travelled to Tiryns with Heracles). Others though, tell of the Amazons being led by Antiope, for Theseus had rejected her, as the king of Athens sought to marry Phaedra the daughter of Minos.
During the Attic War, Antiope would die, either killed by the Amazons Molpadia or Penthesileia, accidentally as she fought alongside Theseus, or killed by Theseus as they fought each other.
It was said that the tomb of Antiope could be found in Athens in antiquity.
Soon afterwards, the Amazons would march upon Athens, in a conflict that would be named the Attic War.
Some tell of the Amazons being led by Orithyia, for the Amazons wished to retrieve Antiope, and also the Girdle of Hippolyta (although the Girdle had travelled to Tiryns with Heracles). Others though, tell of the Amazons being led by Antiope, for Theseus had rejected her, as the king of Athens sought to marry Phaedra the daughter of Minos.
During the Attic War, Antiope would die, either killed by the Amazons Molpadia or Penthesileia, accidentally as she fought alongside Theseus, or killed by Theseus as they fought each other.
It was said that the tomb of Antiope could be found in Athens in antiquity.
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Colin Quartermain - Antiope Queen of Amazons - 4th March 2020