According to ancient Greek myths, the Amazons, an all-female society of formidable warriors, dealt with male infants in one of two ways. They either practiced infanticide or sent the baby boys away.
In their legendary society, the Amazons are depicted as an autonomous group who engaged with men from neighboring societies primarily for reproduction. Following these interactions, the fate of any male offspring was strictly controlled to maintain their matriarchal structure.
The two primary accounts regarding their actions with baby boys include:
- Male Infanticide: Some versions of the myth suggest that the Amazons would kill male infants upon birth. This brutal practice would ensure that no males grew up within their society to potentially challenge their power structure or introduce male dominance.
- Sending Away: Alternatively, other mythological accounts state that they would send male babies away, presumably back to their fathers' societies or to other male-dominated regions. This allowed the Amazons to maintain their exclusive female community without resorting to violence against the infants.
These practices were essential to the mythical Amazons' identity, reflecting their commitment to an independent, all-female warrior society focused on strength and self-sufficiency.
