In Greek mythology the Amazons (Ancient Greek: ?µa???e? Amazónes singular ?µa??? Amazon; in Latin Amazon -onis) are portrayed in a number of ancient epic poems and legends such as the Labours of Heracles the Argonautica and the Iliad. They were a group of female warriors and hunters who were as skilled and courageous as men in physical agility strength archery riding skills and the arts of combat. Their society was closed to men and they only raised their daughters and returned their sons to their fathers with whom they would only socialize briefly in order to reproduce.