In this labor, Eurystheus orders Hercules to capture the belt of Hippolyte, Queen of the Amazons. The Amazons were not of the Amazon region in South America but were a tribe of women warriors from the Middle East. This strictly female tribe invented and perfected the skill of fighting on horseback. Hipployte, because of her excellence in warfare, was gifted a leather belt from Apollo, which was said to give power to the one who wore it.

She wears the belt across her chest and uses it to carry her sword and spear. Because Eurystheus wants to give it to his daughter Admete, he sends Hercules to get it for him in this labor.

His men joined Hercules, and together they all travel to the land of the Amazons. Upon arrival, Hippolyte meets Hercules at the harbor. After explaining the purpose of his journey, Hippolyte tells Hercules that she would offer the belt to him as a gift so that he will succeed in his task.

Hera once again strives to undermine Hercules, though. She disguises herself as an Amazon and tells each of Hipployte’s women that Hercules’ real intention is to abduct the Queen. Furious, and intending to protect her, the women don their armor and weapons and storm Hercules and his men. During the mighty battle that ensues, Hercules draws his sword, kills Hippolyte, and takes the belt from her.

On his return journey, Hercules rescues Hesione, the daughter of the King of Troy, who has been sacrificed to a great sea monster. Hercules returns with the belt to Eurystheus, who gives it to Admete.

Hippolyte, as Queen of the Amazons, symbolizes the mother aspect and the divine feminine for all women. As with all mother figures such as Mary, Eve, Isis, and Gaia, she represents the profound capacity of the feminine to provide, nurture and support life.

The Amazons were warrior women who lived apart from men, who were intentionally rejected from their realm. Male infants were rejected from their tribe at birth. This fierce, female warrior tribe become reknown for their perfected skill of hunting and battle on horseback. As excellent archers, their skillful use of the horse during hunt and battle symbolizes balance between the instinctual and tamed aspects of personality. Here we see the divine feminine in its condition of freedom and its ability to ride and stay above the animal nature.

The belt was a gift to Hippolyte from her father in recognition of her mastery in battle. The belt had magical properties and symbolized the unity that is achieved through struggle. She offers her belt as a gift to Hercules, and through this gift, she affirms that the divine feminine, who rules all matter, generously provides her gifts to those who ask. However, believing that the masculine hoard’s real intention is to abduct the Queen, a battle ensues between the Amazons and Hercule’s men. In the battle Hercules kills Hippolyte.

The battle between the masculine and feminine forces plays out in this myth. The slaughter by Hercules of the feminine energy that provides him with what he requires is humanity’s failure. In order to access the power of spirit, and rightly use the resources the divine feminine provides, we must destroy our attachment to matter and form.

The destruction of the divine feminine is not the path to unity. It is only through realizing and honoring its gifts can balance and unity be achieved. So, while Hercules is successful in acquiring the belt, he fails by killing Hippolyte and demonstrating a misuse of the nature of substance.

Hercules now requires redemption for his misdeed. On his return journey, Hercules encounters Hesione who is chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster. Hercules rescues her and sets her free.