Greek mythology Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the Ancient Greece, ancient Greeks, and a genre of ancient Greek folklore, today absorbed alongside Roman mythology into the broader designation of classical mythology. These stories conc ...

, Aella (, meaning "storm-swift" in Ancient Greek, pronounced /ˈɑːɛllɑː/ or "AH-ell-ah") was an Amazon warrior who fought

Heracles Heracles ( ; ), born Alcaeus (, ''Alkaios'') or Alcides (, ''Alkeidēs''), was a Divinity, divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of ZeusApollodorus1.9.16/ref> and Alcmene, and the foster son of Amphitryon.By his adoptive descent through ...

during his Ninth Labor (the fetching of the girdle of Queen Hippolyta).

Diodorus Siculus Diodorus Siculus or Diodorus of Sicily (; 1st century BC) was an ancient Greece, ancient Greek historian from Sicily. He is known for writing the monumental Universal history (genre), universal history ''Bibliotheca historica'', in forty ...

highlights her exceptional swiftness, noting that she was the first Amazon to charge Heracles in battle.

Family

The

Amazons The Amazons (Ancient Greek: ', singular '; in Latin ', ') were a people in Greek mythology, portrayed in a number of ancient epic poems and legends, such as the Labours of Hercules, Labours of Heracles, the ''Argonautica'' and the ''Iliad''. ...

, daughters of the war god

Ares Ares (; , ''Árēs'' ) is the List of Greek deities, Greek god of war god, war and courage. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. The Greeks were ambivalent towards him. He embodies the physical valor necessary for ...

and the

nymph A nymph (; ; sometimes spelled nymphe) is a minor female nature deity in ancient Greek folklore. Distinct from other Greek goddesses, nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature; they are typically tied to a specific place, land ...

Harmonia In Greek mythology, Harmonia (; /Ancient Greek phonology, harmoˈnia/, "harmony", "agreement") is the goddess of harmony and concord. Her Greek opposite is Eris (mythology), Eris and her Roman mythology, Roman counterpart is Concordia (mythol ...

, were renowned as fierce and independent women warriors. They were often depicted as residing in the region around the Black Sea, though their homeland's exact location varies in different accounts. Some ancient writers place the Amazons near the Thermodon River in modern-day Turkey, while others suggest Scythia or Libya.

Mythology

' Ninth Labor, given by

Eurystheus In Greek mythology, Eurystheus (; , ) was king of Tiryns, one of three Mycenaean Greece, Mycenaean strongholds in the Argolid, although other authors including Homer and Euripides cast him as ruler of Argos, Peloponnese, Argos. Family Eurysthe ...

, was to retrieve the girdle of Queen Hippolyta for his daughter,

Admete Admete ( means 'the unbroken, unwedded, untamed') or Admeta, was in Greek mythology, a Mycenaean princess. She was the daughter of King Eurystheus and Antimache Apollodorus2.5.9/ref> and sister to Alexander, Iphimedon, Eurybius, Mentor, Pe ...

. Heracles sailed to the land of the Amazons and was initially welcomed by Hippolyta, who admired his heroism. However,

Hera In ancient Greek religion, Hera (; ; in Ionic Greek, Ionic and Homeric Greek) is the goddess of marriage, women, and family, and the protector of women during childbirth. In Greek mythology, she is queen of the twelve Olympians and Mount Oly ...

, in disguise, incited the Amazons to attack Heracles, leading to a battle. Aella, meaning "Whirlwind," was the first to charge Heracles. Despite her bravery, Heracles, wearing the

Nemean lion The Nemean lion (; ; ) was a mythical lion in Greek mythology that lived at Nemea. Famously one of the mythical beasts killed by Heracles (Hercules) in his 12 labours. Because its golden fur was impervious to attack, it could not be killed with ...

skin, was invincible, and Aella was slain along with other Amazons.

Mentions in Ancient Literature

Aella is mentioned by

in Bibliotheca historica 4.16.3: "Now the general mass of the Amazons were arrayed against the main body of the followers of Heracles, but the most honoured of the women were drawn up opposite Heracles himself and put up a stubborn battle. The first, for instance, to join battle with him was Aella, who had been given this name because of her swiftness, but she found her opponent more agile than herself."Diodorus Siculus, ''Bibliotheca historica'', 4.16.3

Notes

{{reflist Amazons (Greek mythology)