Cynisca (; 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. 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.
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Name
The name Cynisca means 'female puppy' or 'little hound' in Ancient Greek. She was named after her grandfather Zeuxidamus, who was also called Cyniscos. Sarah B. Pomeroy suggest that this unusual name could have been a nickname for a tomboyish woman and it alludes to an interest in hunting. It is possible that the name is derived from the hunting traditions of the Spartan elite. Per Cartledge, it could have been a tribute to a species of a Spartan hound that was renowned as scenter during hunting. Pomeroy notes that the names of her close female relatives point to equestrian interests in their lineage.
Early life
Cynisca was born in the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta probably around 440 BC. A member of the Eurypontid dynasty, she was the daughter of King Archidamus II and his wife Eupolia. She was probably half-sister to Agis II (r. 427–400 BC) and full sister to Agesilaus II (r. 400–360 BC), both of whom succeeded their father as a kings of Sparta. She had a sister named Proauga. In her childhood, Cynisca may have earned some experience in sporting from Sparta's female physical education curriculum (equivalent to boys' agoge), which she presumably attended. Coming from a wealthy family, she could own racehorses. According to Pausanias, Cynisca was the first woman to breed horses and was exceedingly ambitious to succeed at the Olympic Games.