Gryphomachias. Amazons and Grypes in Ancient Art

Abstract

The Amazon mythical universe has become one of the most important exponents of the Greek religious tradition throughout history. Dozens of Greco-Roman authors have mentioned these warrior women for centuries, and we know of thousands of pieces of art dedicated to their legendary combat. The most demanded during Antiquity were the Amazonomachy and the scenes representing the ninth labor of Heracles, but this was not always the case. In the 4th century BC, recent studies show that those themes were relegated in favor of Gryphomachy, which reached levels never seen before in terms of their production. Also known as Gryphons, Gryps, Grypes, Gryphoi (from the singular form, γρύψ) in ancient Greek, they symbolized strength and bravery. There is still an important debate regarding the identification of the figures that faced such terrifying beasts in these works, but in this article we intend to demonstrate that the majority correspond to Amazons, not to Scythians, Persians or Arimaspians as have been traditionally recognized, and that not all of them represent combat, but friendly scenes perhaps intended for their training.