Libyan Amazons

Libyan Amazons

Diodorus Siculus tells the story of the Amazons in the third book of his library in chapters 52-55. He mentioned that the Amazons in Libya are very old and much older than the Amazons of the East who were contemporary with the Trojan War. They are wandering warrior women who reached Asia Minor. The Amazons lived around Lake Tritonis (in present-day Benghazi) and went out on successive raids on the Atlanteans. They cut off their right breast to facilitate the movement of the arm during combat. The life of the Amazons is dedicated to fighting and preserving virginity. After the end of the period of armed service, they can marry and have children. The Amazon army is reserved for virgins only and no one else is allowed to fight. There is an annual festival held around Lake Tritonis in which young girls are divided into two opposing rows to fight with sticks and stones. The one who dies from her wounds is the fake and empty one.

300*200cm
Oil and mixed media on canvas
2024