Amazons vs gladiators?

[Alanus]

Or it might be that the image of Amazons was adapted to resemble Steppe peoples because they were the nearest model at hand for societies that had significant numbers of female warriors.
Amazons are deeply entrenched in Greek mythology. I like to think that if they're based on any real source, it goes back to the Bronze Age.

Good point, Dan
But if the Greek's Amazonian model was based upon some Bronze Age society, it would still be a steppe culture. ;-)