In Greek mythology, Hippolyta, or Hippolyte (; Ancient Greek: Ἱππολύτη Hippolytē), was the queen of the Amazons and a daughter of Ares and Otrera. Her sisters were Antiope and Melanippe. She wore her father Ares' zoster, which means 'war belt' or 'girdle' in Ancient Greek. Hippolyta figures prominently in the myths of both Heracles and Theseus. The name Hippolyta translates as "she who unleashes the horses", deriving from two Greek roots meaning "horse" and "let loose".
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Legends
Ninth Labor of Heracles
In the myth of Heracles, Hippolyta's belt (ζωστὴρ Ἱππολύτης, zōstḗr Hippolytēs) was the object of his ninth labour. He was sent to retrieve it for Admete, the daughter of King Eurystheus. Most versions of the myth indicate that Hippolyta was so impressed with Heracles that she gave him the belt without argument (In some versions she had sex with Heracles), perhaps while visiting him on his ship. Then, according to Apollodorus, the goddess Hera, making herself appear as one of the Amazons, spread a rumour among them that Heracles and his crew were abducting their queen, so the Amazons attacked the ship. Among Hippolyta's warriors was Aella, who was the first to charge at Heracles during the battle. Despite her courage, she fell to Heracles, who, clad in the invulnerable skin of the Nemean lion, defeated her and the other Amazons. Ultimately, he overpowered Hippolyta, stripped her of the belt, and sailed away, thus fulfilling his labor.