Migration towards the West followed several distinct lines, and alongside of or before the movement which ended at Marseilles, there was one of which the traces are still more curious and interesting. The identification of Basques and Georgians as members of the same strange linguistic family would dispel any remaining doubt as to the kinship between the Iberians of Transcaucasia and those of Spain, and the customs of both also agree in belonging to the same sociological family, which may be called the Lycian. The historical customs of Lycians and Iberians seem between them, to have produced the Amazon legend, and as some characteristic Iberian customs have lasted down to the present day, it will be convenient to dispose of the legend first.

According to Ephorus the Amazons dwelt between Mysia, Caria and Lydia, near Cyme,—Ephesus and Smyrna, as well as that town, being called after members of the race. Strabo notices as singular the fact that ancient and modern writers agree as to the existence of Amazons, though they differ as to the localities occupied by them. Theophanes, who accompanied Pompey in his campaigns, mentions Amazons and Albanians bordering upon Scythian tribes, while other writers locate the Amazons at the foot of the Caucasus. If we try to define the classical idea of the tribes thus named, it would probably mean a warlike body not merely governed by, but consisting exclusively of women, who bring up the daughters born from temporary unions effected under treaty with men of adjoining tribes.