Final answer:
Adrienne Mayor suggests that the Scythians were the inspiration behind the myth of the Amazons, connecting historical and geographical clues to the legends.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adrienne Mayor believes that the women of the Scythian civilization provided the inspiration for the legendary Amazons. This is supported by historical accounts that mention rivers such as Tanais and Phasis, which are located in Scythia, and by archaeological findings that resonate with the descriptions of the Amazons in classical texts.
The Amazons were thought to be a race of female warriors who lived by the River Thermondon, which fits within the broader geographical region where the Scythians roamed.