Funeral Oration

In ancient times were the Amazons, daughters of Ares, dwelling beside the river Thermodon;[*](In Pontus, flowing into the Euxine.) they alone of the people round about were armed with iron, and they were first of all to mount horses, with which, owing to the inexperience of their foes, they surprised them and either caught those who fled, or outstripped those who pursued. They were accounted as men for their high courage, rather than as women for their sex; so much more did they seem to excel men in their spirit than to be at a disadvantage in their form.