Cynisca was the first known woman to win at the ancient Olympic Games.
Cynisca was a Spartan princess, daughter of King Archidamus II and sister of King Agesilaus II. She won the four-horse chariot race at Olympia, probably in 396 BCE, and again in 392 BCE. In the chariot event, the owner of the horses received the victory credit, even though a hired driver actually drove the team.
Her victories were significant because women were generally excluded from competing in the Olympic events held at Olympia. Cynisca’s success showed that wealthy women could enter horse teams through ownership, even when they could not personally participate in most athletic contests.
Her victory monument at Olympia included an inscription celebrating her achievement. Later Spartan tradition treated her as an important example of female prestige and royal wealth. She should not be confused with women who won at the Heraean Games, a separate festival associated with female competitors.