Ἀμαζόνες

Amazones: a people of women by the Thermodon, as Ephoros, whom they now call Sauromatides. "They say of them that they differ in nature from men, blaming the temperament of the place, as accustomed to produce female bodies stronger and larger than the male. But I consider the affections common to all to be natural, so that the cause is unreasonable. More plausible is what the neighbouring peoples say. For the Sauromatai, having at the beginning campaigned against Europe and all perished, the women being alone.... and when the males grew up, they quarrelled with the women, and the women prevailing, the males fled to a certain thickly wooded place and perished. Fearing lest some vengeance should come from the younger ones, they made a decree to crush their limbs and make them all lame." They were also called Sauropatides from treading on and eating lizards, or from dwelling in Sauromatic Scythia. There is also Amazonia a city of Messapia. Also said Amazon in the masculine. Also said the neuter Amazonion with 'i' and Amazonides.