Themyscira

history

In the DC Universe, the Amazons are a race of warrior women who live on the mystical island of Themyscira. According to their lore, the Amazons were created by the gods to be a force for peace and justice. They were originally from Greece, but after being oppressed by men, they were granted immortality and relocated to Themyscira by the gods. Themyscira, also known as Paradise Island, is a hidden island nation located in the heart of the Bermuda Triangle. It's a mystical place, protected by powerful magical energies that prevent outsiders from finding it. The island is home to the Amazons, who live in a utopian society, free from the influences of men. The Amazons are currently led by Queen Nubia, who rules alongside, Princess Diana (Wonder Woman).

known Amazons

Althea: The royal physician on Paradise Island, Doctor Althea was present when Steve Trevor crashed onto the island. Althea was the first to notice Diana's infatuation with the American pilot, and alerted Queen Hippolyta. Artemis: A member of the Egyptian tribe of Amazons of Bana-Mighdall, Artemis is a skilled warrior who briefly took up the mantle of Wonder Woman. Like Diana, Artemis has spent many years in Man's World, including a significant time with Red Hood and Bizarro Cassandra Sandsmark: The daughter of Helena Sandsmark and Zeus, Cassie Sandsmark is a demigoddess who became the second Wonder Girl after Donna Troy took the codename Troia Diana: Known to the public as Wonder Woman, Diana is the daughter of Queen Hippolyta and princess of the Amazons of Themyscira. Donna Troy: A founding member of the Teen Titans, Donna Troy is Diana's younger sister and the first to take the mantle of Wonder Girl. Hippolyta: Originally known as Hippolye, Hippolyta was the queen of the Amazons of Themyscira and Diana's mother. but recently stepped down from the position. Io: A skilled blacksmith, the muscular Io became one of Diana's most trusted allies. Unbeknownst to Diana, Io was in love with the princess. She later began a relationship with Nubia.

Known Amazons pt 2

Nubia: Also known as Nu'Bia, Nubia was originally Diana's black twin sister. Kidnapped by Mars as a child, Nubia was raised on Slaughter Island. She later served as guardian of Doom's Doorway. More recently, Nubia became Queen of Themyscira after hippolyta stepped down from her position. Philippus: Hippolyta's general and lover. Philippus briefly served as an ambassador of Themyscira, though these days she rarely strays from Hippolyta's side.

society and culture

Courting ritual: When an Amazon wishes to court another, she presents an offering of a coconut. Inside the coconut is a nectarine seed strung onto a necklace and a bracelet made of thorns. The nectarine seed signifies a bounty, hoped for but not yet achieved. The thorn bracelet is partially wrapped in blue, red and gold ribbons. The blue represents hope, the red represents danger, and the gold represents a request to the goddess Athena to provide her blessing. The pursuer then takes out the necklace and says "That thou art full of promise", blesses it with a kiss, and places the necklace around her intended lover's neck. She then takes out the bracelet and says "That thou shall know the heart of another" and places the bracelet on her intended lover's wrist. If the person gifted chooses to accept the courtship, she then agrees to always wear the necklace and bracelet and never remove them until it can be mutually agreed upon to form a lasting relationship together. Until the two Amazons agree to finalize their relationship, the couple puts each other through a series of physical, mental and emotional tests to see if the intended relationship can withstand life's trials

society and culture

marriage: The Amazon people are not to be labelled sexually; Wonder Woman said that "...my country is all women. To us, it's not 'gay' marriage. It's just marriage"; being a society that was only populated by women, "lesbian" in [the world's] eyes may have been "straight" for them. She further added that "no Amazon is going to look at another Amazon and say they are "Amazoning wrong". Because that wouldn't be paradise. The society accepts everyone in it. The requirement is, you're here and you're female [...] Nobody says a dress is inappropriate. Nobody says, 'Why are you wearing pants?' Nobody says you're too heavy. Nobody says you're too skinny, or not strong enough". Feast of the Five: One of the most revered observances the Themyscirian Amazons hold dear is called The Feast of the Five. On this day the Amazons pay homage to the five original goddesses who took part in their creation. Aside from constant prayer and worship, the occasion begins with a hunt in honour to the goddess Artemis. A harvest is also celebrated in honor of the goddess Demeter. A feast is then held in honor of the remaining goddesses. This is said to be the Themyscirians' most holy holiday. The Feast of the Five can be seen almost as a holy birthday for each of the Themyscirian Amazons, with the glory of the occasion being placed in honor to their creators.

society and culture

The Victor's Circle: Created by Antiope in 1041 BCE, the Victor's Circle is a secret, quasi-official fighting organization where Amazons compete in unarmed combat (implied to be a form of pankration), either as a way to resolve disputes or simply to "[blow] off some extra steam". Fights are conducted in a cavern hidden behind a waterfall, within a small circular arena with semicircular seating both hewn out of the rock. Within the ring, all ranks and titles are considered irrelevant, and combatants fight as equals. At any given session, an Amazon may fight multiple times, such as a winner of a bout issuing a challenge to or being challenged by an audience member. A number of notable Amazons hold records in the Victor's Circle, such as Diana holding the record for most submissions, Nubia holding the record for most knockouts, and Philippus the record for most fights. death: Originally a cavern was built under the Amazons' Temple of the Dead, which is where those dead are remembered. After an Amazon's funeral is completed, the body is lowered into the cavern where it is laid to rest in a city of the dead. Queen Hippolyta assigns the chief temple priestess to remain alone in the city to watch over the dead for a thousand years before a replacement is made. This tradition was later changed as the Amazons discovered that the priestess often went mad in her solitude. One such priestess brought the dead to life through the use of magic during a mad outburst. The Amazons soon after burned their dead, during which the souls of the slain Amazons took form among the flames before traveling onto the plane of afterlife called the Elysian Fields.

skills and abilities

All Themyscirian Amazons are themselves wonder women and possess various degrees of incredible superhuman strength, speed, stamina and extraordinarily acute senses and the ability to glide on aircurrents, as seen in the second competition for the title of Wonder Woman won by Orana. All these were gifts blessed to them by their gods. As shown by various tribe members, they have the capability to break apart steel and concrete with their bare hands, jump over 1,200 feet from a standing position, have a high durability factor, enhanced healing, and the ability to absorb and process a vast amount of knowledge in a short period of time. Themyscirian Amazons also possess immortality that allows them to live indefinitely in a youthful form, but does leave them open to potential injury and death depending on their actions. They also have developed high levels of hand-to-hand combat training, mastered over 3,000 years, and are experts in the use of various hand held weapons. Themyscirian Amazons also possess the ability to relieve their bodies of physical injury and toxins by becoming one with the Earth's soil and then reforming their bodies whole again. The first time Diana does this she prays to her god Gaea saying: "Gaea, I pray to you. Grant me your strength. You are the Earth who suckled me, who nurtured and bred me. Through you all life is renewed. The circle which never ends. I pray you, mother Gaea, take me into your bosom. Please, let me be worthy". During writer John Byrne's time on the comic it was stated that this is a very sacred ritual, to be used only in the most dire of circumstances.

setting

shorty after arriving on themyscira, the goddesses told the Amazons that one day, a mortal man born from a daughter of themyscira in Man's World would appear on their island and would become their rightful ruler. if he truly is a son of themyscira and shows he is noble of heart, the Amazons will accept him as their ruler and will follow is every command.