The story of Hippolyte and the Amazons in general is significant because it involves the reversal of traditional gender roles. Whereas ancient Greeks and Romans saw women as silent, unobtrusive wives and mothers, Hippolyte and her followers placed little importance on masculinity— they only required male genes to further the Amazon race. Some present-day feminists have identified with the Amazons because the Amazons asserted themselves against the male-dominant world. Others point out
That Hippolyte’s story actually reaffirms the power of men—a belligerent queen, who would never surrender to a man, ultimately did so and had a child with her former abductor.
Hippolyte’s likeness has been discovered on temples, pottery, and sculpture fragments dating from the sixth century BCE, but she has also figured in a variety of other artistic genres. In English playwright William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream (c. 1595), Hippolyte is the fiancee of Theseus. In the 20th century the Amazon queen began to appear in popular culture. In 1941 she was described as the mother of D. C. Comics’ newest creation, Wonder Woman. Around the same time, Julian Thompson’s play The Warrior’s Husband starred American actress Katharine Hepburn as Hippolyte. At the start of the 20th century the character of Hippolyte featured in television programs, books, and even video games.
Deborah Thomas
Bibliography
ApoUodorus, and Robin Hard, trans. The Library of Greek Mythology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. Bulfinch, Thomas. Bulfmch’s Mythology. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006.
World History
