List of Hercules and Xena Characters - The Amazons

The Amazons

The Amazons are an all-female tribe who make frequent appearances in the series. They are first depicted as a large nation that spreads throughout the land and then later as a number of tribes scattered throughout the world, segregated by an unknown cataclysm from their distant past. The Amazons trace their creation to the goddess Artemis, and value an all-female society that strives to uphold the same rights and freedoms for women as those of men. Each tribe is headed by a queen, whose position may be either inherited, or passed on as a right of caste to any named successor. A queen's authority may also be openly challenged by another royal Amazon and her title relinquished if she is defeated in single combat.

Although several tribes are known in different countries, Xena deals prominently with the Greek Amazons and the Northern Amazons of Siberia. With her fighting skills and advocacy for women's rights, Xena bears a striking resemblance to the Amazons. But she is careful to emphasize that she is not an Amazon, nor does she deserve the honor of becoming one. She turns down offers to join the tribes, preferring an independent, nomadic lifestyle to the membership of a collective. The series reveals that some of the Amazons do not trust Xena because of atrocities she committed against them in her past, although most respect her abilities as a warrior.

Gabrielle, on the other hand, during her first encounter with the Greek Amazon tribe throws herself over an Amazon named Terreis to protect her from falling arrows. Although Terreis is already dying, she is impressed by Gabrielle's bravery and gives her right of caste. Terreis was the next in line to rule, and by giving Gabrielle the right, Gabrielle becomes an Amazon Princess of the Greek tribe.

This chance encounter leads to Gabrielle's acceptance into the Amazons, and with it she carries her title's duties and expectations. Although Gabrielle decides to continue to follow Xena on her adventures, she is occasionally called by her Amazon sisters in times of need or to fulfill her duties as royalty. The tribes also value Xena as an experienced warrior, and occasionally request her assistance.

Among the known Amazons are:

• Amarice (portrayed by Jennifer Sky) - She is an over-zealous young Amazon. She disputed Eli's philosophy of non-violence and criticized Gabrielle for following it. Amarice vowed to live her life in memory of "The Warrior Princess". She killed in battle
• Lilith (portrayed by Susan Brady) - Jason's first love, and mother of his daughter Seska.
• Princess Terreis (portrayed by Rebekah Kopakah) - Princess of the Telaquire Amazons. Killed by Krykus in battle. She was replaced by Gabrielle.
• Queen Cyane I (portrayed by Victoria Pratt) - Queen of the Northern tribes. Killed by Xena under Alti's infuence.
• Queen Cyane II - Another queen of the northern tribes.
• Queen Cyane III (portrayed by Morgan Reese Fairhead) - The third and final queen of the Northern tribes.
• Queen Ephiny (portrayed by Danielle Cormack) - The proud and loyal Amazon queen of the Telaquire tribe. Although loyal to her tribe, she wanted to foster peace between her people and the Centaurs. She later marries a Centaur named Phantes, and bears him a centaur son named Xenan in honor of Xena. She is the Queen of an Amazon tribe while the queen, Gabrielle, is away. She is later killed by Brutus.
• Queen Gwyn-Teir (portrayed by Kirstie O'Sullivan) - Queen of the Celtic tribes. Killed in battle and her body fed to a shark to save the other Amazons from shark's teeth.
• Queen Hippolyta (portrayed by Roma Downey) - Daughter of Ares and an unknown mortal woman. She is the queen of the Amazons.
• Queen Kanae (portrayed by Marise Wipani) - Queen of the Telaquire tribes.
• Queen Marga (portrayed by Sela Apera) - A queen of the Greek tribes who after killed by Prince Moloch.
• Queen Mawu-Ka (portrayed by Michelle Blanchard) - Queen of the African tribes. Killed in battle.
• Queen Mayam (portrayed by Tina Cleary) - The Queen of a renegade outlaw Amazon tribe. He was responsible for blinding Ruun, killing his parents, and abducting his sister Siri. She was later killed in battle by Hercules.
• Queen Otere (portrayed by Sanelle Vosloo as a child, Sheeri Rappaport as adult) - A child who as an adult became a queen of the Northern tribes.
• Queen Varia (portrayed by Tsianina Joelson) - Another queen of the Greek tribes who trained by Xena after Marga's death.
• Tura (portrayed by Mia Korning) - Varia's younger sister. Killed in Livia's attack.
• Yakut (portrayed by Kate Elliot) - The shamaness of the Northern tribes who revived Alti's spirit for good without the knowledge of the danger. Killed in battle but her spirit continued forever.