Born: 440 BC (circa), Greece
Died: Unknown
Country most active: Greece
Also known as: Kyniska
Cynisca was a Spartan princess and athlete. At a time when women weren’t allowed to compete – and married women weren’t even allowed to attend – the Greek Olympiads, an exception was made for the chariot races, where women could enter as owners of the horses. Although the women weren’t actually expected to race, Cynisca competed in the four-horse chariot races and won in 396 BC and 392 BC, becoming the first woman to win in the games. She was not allowed to collect her prize in person. According to the Greek travel writer Pausanias (C.E. 143–176), two monuments were erected in Olympia to commemorate Cynisca’s victories, including a statue of her and an inscription in the sanctuary of Olympia in her honor. Other women later won the chariot racing, including Euryleonis, Belistiche, Zeuxo, Encrateia and Hermione, Timareta, Theodota and Cassia.