Cynisca

For other uses, see Cynisca (disambiguation).
Statue base with an inscription in memory of Cynisca's 396 BC Olympic victory. Museum of the Olympic Games in Antiquity, Olympia

Cynisca (/sɪˈnɪskə/; or Kyniska, Greek: Κυνίσκα; born c. 440 BC) was a wealthy Spartan princess. She is famous for being the first woman to win at the Olympic Games; her horse teams competed in the sport of chariot racing, driven by male charioteers. Cynisca first entered the Olympics in 396 BC, where she won first prize competing with a team of horses she had trained herself. In 392 BC, Cynisca entered her horses in the Olympics for a second time and was awarded another victory in the same event.[1]

  1. ^ Welwei, Karl-Wilhelm (Bochum), "Cynisca", in: Brill's New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and, Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry.