Reclaiming the Amazons

Who killed Hippolyta?

In the second workshop of our program 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐙𝐎𝐍𝐒, we will focus on the Greek amphora 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒎𝒂𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒔, from the classical collection of the Altes Museum in Berlin.

According to myth, the Amazons were independent warrior women who lived far away from men. Yet they are often depicted fighting the “greatest” Greek heroes and they usually end up wounded, defeated, or killed. This amphora shows Heracles fighting a group of Amazons in order to steal their queen Hippolyta’s belt, and ultimately killing her.

In the workshop, we’ll explore how classical myths depict legendary warrior women and uncover the connections with the colonial history of the Amazon territory. As part of this exploration, we will be joined by Criseyda Román, a Peruvian researcher working on ecosystem restoration, gender equity and Indigenous leadership in the Amazon region. She will present 𝘌𝘭 𝘉𝘰𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘥𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴 𝘕𝘶𝘸𝘢𝘴, a women-led forest restoration and cultural revitalisation initiative in the Awajún community of Shampuyacu, San Martín, Perú.

Through creative exercises, somatic practices, conversations, and shared food, we will engage with legendary warrior women, explore the intersection of gender, ecology and power, and reimagine Amazon narratives to co-create alternative representations. Feeling called? Then jump on your horse and ride with us and the Amazon’s queen Hippolyta.

Lunch will be prepared by Food Not Bombs Berlin, a grassroots collective that practices food sharing as a non-violent action against social injustice and inequality.