Amazons were said to have originated from the area around the Caucasus Range. Eventually, they settled on the bank of the Thermodon River in Boeotia and founded the town of Themiscyra. War, hunting and agriculture were their principal pursuits. Women ruled their society, and any men in their community were in servile positions. Two queens, one for defense and one for domestic affairs, shared the sovereign rule. For the continuation of the Amazon race, the women mated with the neighboring Gargarean men for a short period each year. Male children born from these unions were either sent to the Gargareans or killed. Female children were kept and raised by the Amazons.
A widespread belief about the Amazons is that the name, "Amazon" is Greek for "without one breast". This belief led to stories that Amazons cut off one of their breasts in order to make better use of the bow and arrow. However, scholars say the term more likely means "those who are not breast fed".
The Amazons were not satisfied only to defend their kingdom, but they organized campaigns in which they conquered parts of Thrace, Syria and Greece. This barbarian tribe of women was a constant danger for their neighbours, until Heracles either destroyed them or drove them away to the far north.
Amazons were at the height of their fame in the time that preceded the Trojan war. They fought Priam and Bellerophon, but, the most famous legends of the Amazons are connected with Heracles and Theseus . During the Trojan war, the Amazons fought on the side of Trojans. They sent a contingent which was commanded by their queen, Penthesilea. Although they initially forced Greeks to retreat, they were defeated, and Penthesilea was killed by Achilles.
In myth and cult, the Amazons are very closely connected with Ares and Artemis. They were often called the companions of Artemis, and they were sometimes regarded as the founders of the cult of Artemis in Ephesus, and the builders of the great Temple of Artemis.
