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,[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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". Killed in battle.
- Chilapa (portrayed by Nicole Whippy) - The second-in-command to the residing Amazon queen Ephiny. When Ephiny is killed in battle at the hands of Brutus, Chilapa leads the Amazons until the return of Gabrielle, who is the true queen of that tribe. When Gabrielle decides to step down from her role as queen and remain with Xena, Gabrielle gives her Right of Caste to Chilapa to serve as official queen of that tribe.[4]
- Lilith (portrayed by Susan Brady as an adult, Jodie Rimmer as a teenager) - Jason's first love, and mother of his daughter Seska.
- Melosa (portrayed by Alison Bruce) - The queen of an Amazon tribe of Greece. Her sister Terreis is killed by an arrow and protected by Gabrielle who bestows upon her her right of caste. Melosa upholds the right of caste despite protests from Ephiny.
- Princess Terreis (portrayed by Rebekah Mercer) - 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 influence.
- Queen Cyane II (portrayed by Shelley Edwards) - 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 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 was 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. She 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.
- Solari (portrayed by Jodie Dorday) - An Amazon who befriends Gabrielle and supports her becoming Queen of the Amazons. Velasca declares her a traitor to the Amazon nation. In "A Necessary Evil", Solari aids in attacking Velasca and setting up a trap to slow her down. She was killed at the beginning of the episode "Endgame" by Brutus' troops.
- Tura (portrayed by Mia Korning) - Varia's younger sister. Killed in Livia's attack.
- Yakut (portrayed by Kate Elliott) - 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.