Themiscyra (/ˌθɛmɪˈskɪrə/;Ancient Greek:ΘεμίσκυραThemiskyra) was anancient Greek town in northeasternAnatolia; it was situated on the southern coast of theBlack Sea, near the mouth of theThermodon, probably at or near modernTerme.
According toGreek mythology, it was the capital city of theAmazons, a society of fierce, independent women known for their skill in combat and dedication to their way of life.
The town is mentioned as early as the time ofHerodotus (iv. 86;comp.Scylax of Caryanda, p. 33;Pausanias i. 2. § 1) who also mentions the Amazon female warriors from Themiscyra.[1]Aeschylus, in his playPrometheus Bound, places the original home of the Amazons in the country about Lake Maeotis (the modern-daySea of Azov), stating that they later moved to Themiscyra.[2][3] According toPseudo-Plutarch, the Amazons lived in and about the Tánais (Ancient Greek:Τάναϊς, now theDon River), formerly called the Amazonian or Amazon (Ancient Greek:Ἀμαζόνιος) because the Amazons bathed themselves in it, before moving to Themiscyra.[4] In addition,Strabo, in hisGeographica, mentions that Themiscyra was home to both the Amazons and theGargareans before they split up and they went to live separately in the north, at the foot of theCaucasus Mountains.[5]
Ptolemy (v. 6 § 3) is undoubtedly mistaken in placing it further west, midway between the Iris (Yeşilırmak) andCape Heraclium. Scylax calls it a Greek town; butDiodorus Siculus (ii. 44) states that it was built by the founder of the kingdom of the Amazons. After the retreat ofMithridates VI fromCyzicus during theThird Mithridatic War, Themiscyra was besieged byLucullus. The inhabitants on that occasion defended themselves with great valor; and when their walls were undermined, they sent bears and other wild beasts, and even swarms of bees, against the workmen of Lucullus (Appian,Mithrid. 78). But notwithstanding their gallant defence, the town seems to have perished on that occasion, forPomponius Mela speaks of it as no longer existing (i. 19), andStrabo does not mention it at all.[6]
Some believe the town ofTerme (Therme), at the mouth of the Thermodon, marks the site of ancient Themiscyra; but Hamilton (Researches, i. p. 283) justly observes that it must have been situated a little further inland. Ruins of the place do not appear to exist, for those which Texier regards as indicating the site of Themiscyra, at a distance of two days' journey from the Halys (now called theKızılırmak River), on the borders ofGalatia, cannot possibly have belonged to it, but are in all probability the remains ofTavium. The editors of theBarrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World, place Themiscyra "at or near" Terme.[7] In ancient times, Themiscyra's bees were famous for their honey.[8]
Themiscyra was previously thought to have been the seat of a bishopric,[9] but is not now included in theCatholic Church's list oftitular sees.[10]
In Ancient Greece, Themiscyra was the capital city of theAmazons. One of the most famous myths involving Themiscyra is the story ofHeracles's ninth labor, where he was tasked with retrieving the girdle of Queen Hippolyta. According to legend, Hippolyta initially agreed to giveHeracles the girdle, but the goddess Hera, disguised as an Amazon, spread rumors of Heracles’ betrayal. This led to a fierce battle, culminating inHippolyta’s death.
Theseus also visited the city, though there are two versions of this myth. In the first version he accompanied Heracles on his expedition and helped him capture the city, and in the second, Theseus led an expedition of his own, long after Heracles himself had visited the city.[11]
Apollonius of Rhodes, in hisArgonautica, mentions that at Thermodon the Amazons were not gathered together in one city, but scattered over the land, divided into three different tribes; in one part dwelt theThemiscyreians (Greek:Θεμισκύρειαι), in another theLycastians (Greek:Λυκάστιαι), and in another theChadesians (Greek:Χαδήσιαι).[12]
Jason and theArgonauts passed by Themiscyra on their journey toColchis. Zeus sentBoreas, the god of the north wind, and with his help the Argonauts stood out from the shore near Themiscyra where the Themiscyraean Amazons were arming for battle.[8][13][14][15]
In comic books featuringWonder Woman,Themyscira is a lushcity-state andisland country, and the place of origin of Wonder Woman and theAmazons.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Themiscyra".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
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