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How did the Amazons, the legendary warrior women, get their name?

A. Derived from Amazon River
B. Named after a Greek goddess
C. Meaning unknown, lost in history
D. Translates to "Warrior" in an ancient language

User Vijucat
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The Amazons, a legendary group of warrior women in Greek mythology, were not named after the Amazon River, a Greek goddess, or directly translated from an ancient language to mean 'Warrior'. The name 'Amazons' likely originated from Greek, with a debated etymology, and has been associated with female warriors throughout history.

Step-by-step explanation:

The name of the Amazons, the legendary warrior women, is thought to have originated from the ancient Greek language, but the exact meaning is somewhat obscure. It is a misconception that their name was derived from the Amazon River or that they were named after a Greek goddess. Instead, some suggest the name may have come from the word 'a-mazos', which means 'breastless' in Greek, a reference to a myth that Amazon warriors would remove one breast to have better bow control. However, this etymology is contested and considered a folk etymology by some scholars. The connection to a 'Greek goddess' is indirectly related to Greek mythology, where Amazons were often depicted in stories and art, but they were not named after a specific goddess. Nonetheless, the Amazons were indeed a subject of Greek mythology, believed to live by the River Thermodon and not associated with the Amazon River in South America. The term 'Amazon' has also been used as a stage name for female gladiators in ancient Roman times, which further entrenched the warrior connotations of the word.

User Ramu Pasupuleti
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