This bronze plate with an Amazonomachy scene was discovered at the site of kurgan No. 9 of the burial complex “Five Brothers” in the village of Yelizavetovskaya.
The plate was part of a horse harness and may have served as a breastplate. There are holes on the edges of the plate for attaching it to a base. It is possible that the plate was cut from a larger, three-dimensional relief object.
The multi-figure composition of the battle between the Greek and Amazon warriors has been well preserved. On the left side of the plate, there is a depiction of a Greek warrior fighting with a fallen Amazon. The warrior is depicted nude, with his right arm raised and a shield in his left arm. A flowing cloak is draped over his left forearm.
Some details of the images go beyond the frame created by the punched-out holes. Those are part of the Amazon’s head on the left side of the plate and the wrist of the right arm of the Amazon and a weapon in the hand of the nude warrior on the right side of the battle scene.
On the right half of the plate, there is a depiction of an Amazon fighting a Greek warrior clad in armor. On top, he is wearing a short chiton, with a cloak draped over his left arm. A Corinthian helmet protects his head. A shield with two handles is on the warrior’s arm. His right hand is held high, ready to strike at the Amazon. The fragment with his wrist has been lost. The Amazon’s figure is located in the lower right-hand corner and is partially preserved. She is wearing similar clothing to that of the Amazon on the left side. Her right hand holds a sword, which is also raised for striking.
Numerous graves of female warriors were discovered at the burial site in the village of Yelizavetovskaya. Ancient written sources contain many references to female warriors, and their images have been preserved to this day on vases and in sculpture. Ancient masters of metalworking art also depicted various battle scenes involving the Amazons.
In ancient Greek mythology, the Amazons were a women-only people. They formed their own military state and engaged in military campaigns, led by a queen. They were said to have descended from Ares, the god of war, and Harmonia, the nymph of harmony. To reproduce, the Amazons would enter into relationships with men from other nations. According to some versions, if a baby boy was born, he would be either sent to his father’s home or killed. If a baby girl was born, she would be raised as an Amazon.
