Hippolyte's Belt
(Labor 9)

On a far away land on the Northeast cost of Asia Minor
- Pontos (South cost of the Black Sea), there lived the Amazons.

The Amazons were a race of beautiful women, but tough and proud warriors. The Amazons where excellent riders and famous in the art of archery they had invented the art of fighting from horseback.

There Queen's name was Hippolyte and she was easily recognized among them because of the golden belt in her waist. It was said that Hippolyte was a daughter of god Ares (god of war) and that the belt was given to her by her father in recognition for her bravery in battles.

One day Eurystheus call on Hercules and assigned him his ninth labor.

- My daughter Admete, heard that the queen of the Amazons of Pontos, wears a precious golden belt. She asked me to give this belt to her and so I'm sending you to go and bring this belt to me. Do not return to Tiryns without the Hippolyte's Belt.

So Hercules left Tiryns and on his way to Pontos he passed from Athens where he recruited a number of heroes to accompany him on this expedition, among them was another famous hero of that time, Theseus.

After a long and dangerous journey, and lots of adventures, they finally came to the land of the Amazons. In the palace all the Amazons where gathered and the queen asked them.

- What do you strangers seek in my land.

Hercules explained to her.

- I am forced to ask for your golden belt to bring it back to king Eurystheus. If you will not offer it to me I will have to take it by force. I am so sorry for doing this but I have no choice. I am also sorry to have to fight with such proud and brave women warriors like you but please understand that It's beyond my will.

Hippolyte, that she since to have heard about Hercules and Theseus accomplishments, willingly was about to offer the golden belt to Hercules when a voice was heard...

-No, Hippolyte! You must not humiliate your self and give the belt to strangers!

Goddess Hera was not about to let the hero get off so easily. Dressed up as an Amazon she spread hate among the harts of the Amazons to fight Hercules.

- No, No, you must not give the belt.
Many Amazons where calling to there queen.

Hippolyte was obliged to agree with her
Amazons. So for once again the Amazons
where on horseback doing what they knew
best. Fight.

Hercules and Theseus even that they did
not wanted to fight the beautiful warriors,
they where forced into the battle by Heras
hand who hated Hercules so much.
Our heroes would have been in a
very difficult position if not an
arrow from Hercules bow
hadn't hit the brave queen
and throwing her off
the horse.

When the rest of the Amazons saw there queen dead they lost courage and retreated. Hercules then stripped Hippolyte from the dead queen's belt while Theseus kidnapped one of the prettiest Amazons the princess Antiope and took her back to Athens with him.

After several adventures Hercules came to back to Tiryns and gave the Belt to Eurystheus.