Kyniska of Sparta

1295 Words3 Pages

As the ancient civilizations of the west grew their empires, they encountered something so powerful, beastly, and strong that no man could hold down with his own two bare hands, nor could they be tamed. As centuries go on, men learned the ways of the horse and learned to ride upon their backs. They found them to be a key component in transportation, carrying goods, and warfare. As time went on, for every footprint of a human left behind in the wet mud, there was a hoof print not far from the footprint. Ancient Greeks believe that the horse was a gift from the gods, and they were greatly valued in their society. During that whole time men were only written about riding and taming these creatures, not women. Ancient Greece was a civilization where men did all the rough tasks while women stayed home caring for kids and cleaning. In that world characterized by male dominance, one woman stood out. Kyniska of Sparta was the most important visionary for woman’s’ rights because of her understanding of class structure through participating in the Olympic Games. She became the first woman ever to win the four-horse chariot race with her own bred and tamed horses.
Kyniska was born around 440 B.C.E in Sparta, an Ancient Greek city-state. She was the daughter and princess of a Eurpontid King, Archidamus II (“Genus Kyniska”, n.d., p.2). She was well known for one thing and one thing only, her Olympic victory. She won the 96th and 97th Olympic chariot race based off of official records (supportforstudents.msu.edu, n.d., p.1). She was also well known for a famous quote that was documented during one of her winning ceremonies. “My fathers and brothers were kings of Sparta. I, Kyniska, victories with my chariot of fleet horses, erected this st...

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... http://faculty.elmira.edu/dmaluso/sports/greece/greecewomen.html
Kyle, D. G. (2002). Kyniska of Sparta-Engendering Olympic Victory?. InPROCEEDINGS AND NEWSLETTER-NORTH AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR SPORT HISTORY (pp. 34-35).
Kyle, D. G. (2003). " The Only Woman in All Greece": Kyniska, Agesilaus, Alcibiades and Olympia. Journal of Sport History, 30, 183-204.
The olympic games in ancient greece. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.britishmuseum.org/PDF/british_museum_olympic_games.pdf
Quijada Plubins , R. (2013, March 6). Chariot. Retrieved from http://www.ancient.eu.com/chariot/
R. Ingersoll, K. (2008). Cynisca's olympic victories. Retrieved from http://www.camws.org/meeting/2008/program/abstracts/06f2.Ingersoll.html
Yellow, R. (2008, May 14). History of ancient olympic games. Retrieved from http://www.sportinglife360.com/index.php/history-of-ancient-olympic-games-3-51708/

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