Dancing Amazons

This mosaic in the Nile Festival House depicts at least three short-skirted dancing women. Given the spear that the woman on the right carries, and the ready-for-hunting garb that they all wear, possibly these are Amazons—not all Amazons are said to have had their right breasts removed.

The Amazons are a mythical people of female warriors, who spent their time in hunting and warfare. Originating in the Caucasus, they settled in Cappadocia (today's Turkey). They mated with the Gargarensians (men from a neighboring village), and of the children born, they kept only the girls.