In the last part of our fascinating discussion of Amazon history with Dr. Walter Penrose, we shift our attention to the Indian concept of "Stri Rajya" or "The Kingdom of Women." The Ancient Indians located this kingdom to the west of them-- somewhere towards the Eurasian Steppe and Caspian Sea-- right in the neighborhood where Amazons were noted by the Greeks and others. We also explore the stories of Hellenistic warrior queens and their connection to the warlike women in their region. Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.

In part 2 of our discussion of the history of the Amazons with Dr. Walter Penrose, we talk about the tribes of warrior women who inhabited the Black Sea region and Eurasian Steppe-- the "Fertile Crescent" of female warriors. Thracians, Scythians, Sauromatians were all renowned for their warlike women. Join us as we explore the truth of those legends. Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.

In this episode we sit down with Walter Penrose, PhD, associate professor of history at San Diego State University. Dr. Penrose specializes in the History of Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Greek, Hellenistic, and South Asian contexts. We talk with him about the historical views of the Amazons, particularly in the non-Western world. Part 1 focuses on the use of female bodyguards by the Indians and Persians and how many of these women came from the Black Sea region-- the same region where the Greeks identified the presence of Amazons! Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.

Upon the ashes of a lost fallen female-centric civilization arose a new figure in human culture: The Amazon. In part five, we start to fill in the details of what this Amazon culture was like and how men viewed it-- particularly in the case of the civilization on Lemnos. Vicki Noble leads the discussion. Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.

The concept of an "Amazon" begins to develop as the millennia pass and the descendants of the Old Europe matriarchies are forced to take up arms to protect their people and culture. Vicki Noble shares her knowledge. Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.

Long before the Troy of The Iliad and The Odyssey, there was a civilization in Anatolia at Troy that derived its foundation from the Old European matriarchies and the "Amazons." Once the women of Old Europe began to flee, the established strongholds in the Aegean and the Black Sea. Lesbos, Lemnos, Troy, Ephesus, were all establish by the women and men who fled the destruction of the Indo-European invaders and who looked to create a defensive stronghold that would preserve their matriarchies. Vicki Noble tells the story. Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.

On the run, the women of the Old Europe matriarchies flee both east and west to preserve their matriarchal culture and female-centric religions. Vicki Noble discusses the evidence for the destruction and frantic preservation of the Old Europe matriarchies and how that led in turn to Amazonian responses. Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.

Here we go... The first installment in our series on the birth of the historical women called "Amazons." Who were there ancestors? Where did they come from? In part one, we talk about the destruction of the Old Europe matriarchy by the warrior men from the Eurasian steppes and how it was the spark that produced the matriarchal resistance movement of the Amazons. Vicki Noble leads the way and shares her extensive knowledge of the era. Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.

Pamela Jaye Smith talks about her "Alpha Babes" course and how it can help filmmakers and other creatives tell the stories of female heroes. Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.

In part two, we have an intense discussion about the state of women in film today. How are women being portrayed? What opportunities are there for women creators? Is it different than in the past or is it just window dressing? Insights are sharp and passions are high.

Guest: Pamela Jaye Smith

Hosts: Sean Marlon Newcombe

Dawn "Sam" Alden