I think the key to the whole appeal of Amazons is the egalitarian society. There was once a time and place where equality was taken for granted - it was logical and necessary - and I think most people can get the message that if it happened once, it could happen again.

Adrienne Mayor's quote delves into the allure of the Amazons, a mythical society of female warriors, and why their story resonates with modern audiences. She argues that the central appeal of the Amazons lies in their egalitarian society, where women held equal status to men in both power and combat. In this vision of society, equality was not just an ideal but an essential and practical part of life, reflecting a time when gender roles were not rigidly defined.

Mayor suggests that the Amazons represent a time and place where equality was not a struggle but a natural state of affairs. Her statement implies that at some point in history, equality between the sexes was not only accepted but considered logical and necessary for society to function. This aligns with her broader interest in uncovering historical instances where women played powerful and influential roles, challenging the modern narrative that such power is a recent or radical development.

The second part of the quote, "if it happened once, it could happen again," is a hopeful and empowering message. Mayor believes that the egalitarian society of the Amazons offers a vision of what could be possible in the future. By referencing a historical precedent for gender equality, she implies that if such a society could exist in myth or history, the possibility remains for contemporary societies to evolve toward true equality.

Ultimately, Mayor's quote is a call to action, encouraging the belief that equality is not an unattainable dream but something that is deeply rooted in the past and could be revived. It emphasizes the potential for societal transformation, using the example of the Amazons as a symbol of what can be achieved when egalitarianism is embraced as a necessary and natural part of human society.