Warriors, Women and the Ancient World

It’s been almost three weeks since my first book went live. Actually, I’m still getting used to calling myself an indie author. If you have purchased my book or reading it through Kindle Unlimited, please let me know what you think. I love talking about the Bronze age, particularly the period I write about in the 1600s BC. I am researching for the next book titled, “Warriors of Apasas” that will be out December 21st. It will be available for preorder late September. Watch for blog posts with excerpts from it.

Have you noticed I am choosing the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice as release dates? That is intentional. My connection with the earth and moon is very much a part of my everyday life. In honor of the Goddess, I decided to choose these times of the year. Its just one of the many quirks about me that I am finally comfortable with.

In “The Women of Apasas” there are so many scenes that I loved writing and some I wept as I wrote them. I won’t give anything away but one of my favorite scenes is when Myrine finds Kynna and Anais. Kynna is at the point of collapse from her injuries and not sure about this woman or what she might do. With an arrow pointed at her she finds a deep strength within her and decides she still wants to live. She doesn’t know how she is going to do it but it stirs her will to keep surviving.

Myrine sees something in Kynna she has never seen in anyone she’s known before. She has so many questions for them but must find the patience to wait for the answers. When she lifts Kynna up on Kadir, Kynna keeps slipping off. This was an interesting add into the scene. Kynna knows how to ride, but she’s exhausted and as much as she doesn’t want to trust Myrine, she has no choice. When Myrine encircles Kynna in her arms to keep her from slipping off is the moment Myrine’s world changes. Even though she has no idea it does.

That kind of love is what I enjoy writing about. Women believe we must surrender to another person. Preconditioned to be subservient. In no way do my characters do that. Even Kynna’s time under Marjan’s captivity drew a determination in her to serve no man again. In book 2 this will become clear as Kynna must be reminded of her choices and Myrine must face her own.

I have always loved hero stories, but not those who have an obvious hero. I searched for stories of women trying to find happiness in a difficult life. Women who must rise above all their doubts and fears to fulfill their purpose. Women who ask themselves, “Who am I?” Kynna and Myrine are characters I came to know in my search for what life was really like for them. After reading all the books I could find with this theme, I decided to write my own and give them a voice. Although they aren’t historically documented, they are real women living a real life in ancient times.

Myrine was the first character that introduced herself to me out of my love for all things Amazon. I have always admired warrior women and their ability to push their bodies to the height of excellence. The argument that women are just as strong as men is still under debate, some say they aren’t capable physically, but there are always exceptions and Myrine is an exception. More importantly. I questioned why the Greeks made these women into demeaning myths. I believe they feared these women and turned them into savages just as early settlers in America did to the Native People.

As I researched all things Amazon, I found some great resources. Among many was Adrienne Mayer’s book titled “The Amazons” which is full of answers to questions like, “Did the Amazons cut off one breast to shoot better? Or “Did Amazons kill or maim their male infants? I never believed any of it. The more I studied Patriarchy, the more it appeared to be part of the intended destruction of matriarchy and the matrilineal line. All designed to rule over the lands and wealth the Aegean had to offer. {An interesting book on patriarchy is Merlin Stone’s “When God was a Woman”. It changed my life.)

Mayer’s book also contains stories of these women and their influence on major historical characters like Alexander the Great, Theseus and Hittite Kings. Evidence shows that these women warriors were influential for almost a thousand years in the Greek world until they were forced east and integrated with Scythians and Mongolian tribes.

Another book written by the German archeologist Gerhard Polauer titled “The Lost Cities of the Amazons” was also a spark that lit my imagination for this series. He writes an account of his journey through Turkey exploring ancient sites believed to be inhabited by Amazons. Their connection with these sites pictured in his book cannot be ignored. He also documented sites on Lemnos Island which were believed to be ruled by Amazons from 3,000 BC. Waterways were jammed with traders until earthquakes and volcanoes caused them to abandon the island for the coast of Asia Minor and establish cities like Ephesus (Apasas). Although it’s been pushed aside in lots of historical accounts there is no denial of how influential these women were in the ancient pre-Christian world. Goddess worship was predominant long before Patriarchy.

Again, I encourage you to reach out to me. I’m a total geek when it comes to women warriors. I loved to give them badass fight scenes, but I also love the relationships they form and the choices they must make in their world and in their heart. You can comment or email me here as well as on my Facebook page. Links below.

Elizabeth