- Introduction
- Famous Spartan Women
- Lives of Spartan Women
- Social Responsibilities
- Famous Spartan Women
- The Non-Native View of Spartan Women
- FAQs
Famous Spartan Women
Cynisca
Cynisca, daughter of King Archidamus II, shattered boundaries and achieved the unthinkable in the ancient world: an Olympic victory. In the 4th century BCE, she became the first woman to own and race horses in the prestigious chariot races at Olympia, traditionally an all-male domain. Given that she was a wealthy princess with proximity to horses, she was able to train, breed, and prepare freely. Cynisca employed two male charioteers to guide the horses she’d bred and trained at the Olympics in 396 BCE, eventually winning the title. In 392 BCE, Cynisca won the title again, cementing her glory not only in Sparta's but in all of Greek history.
Her achievements transcended mere athletic success, and Cynisca embodied Spartan ideals of physical prowess, determination, and leadership. Her participation challenged societal norms and highlighted the potential of women beyond domestic spheres. Additionally, her success reflected positively on Sparta, showcasing its commitment to female strength and athleticism. Although it is possible to argue that Cynisca's victories also benefited from her family's wealth and status in Greek society, the Spartan princess defied convention and gender norms to become the first female Olympian to win a medal in the prestigious games. Subsequently, a cult of Cynisca took root in Sparta, which raised the athletic princess to near-deification, where all Spartan women looked up to her for inspiration.
Euryleonis
Euryleonis was the second woman to secure an Olympic victory after Cynisca. Unlike her predecessor, little is known about her besides her success in the two-horse chariot race. Her victory occurred in 368 BCE, around 24 years following Cynisca’s second Olympic victory. Like Cynisca, Euryleonis, too, participated in the Olympics by owning and training the horses taking part in the games. Since the Olympics were restricted to male participants, two men would control the steeds raised and trained by women. Victory was often attributed to the owners of the horses instead of the drivers themselves.
Euryleonis stands as another testament to the relative economic freedom, parity, and athletic spirit of Spartan women that set them apart from the remainder of the Greek world. By excelling in their domestic, financial, religious, and athletic duties, Spartan women like Euryleonis embodied a true Spartan spirit by achieving the title of being the second woman to achieve Olympic victory. Along with their powerful military, the presence of athletic and forceful women was just as much a source of pride, which endured for much of the city’s history.
Queen Gorgo
Queen Gorgo is possibly the most famous Spartan woman in history. She was the daughter of King Cleomenes I and the wife of King Leonidas I. Her birth is said to have occurred between 518 and 508 BCE. Following Cleomenes I’s passing, she remained his only heiress, following which she was betrothed to Leonidas I, who subsequently took over the Spartan throne. Her life is featured in both Herodotus and Plutarch’s works.
Based on Herodotus’ account, Queen Gorgo was instrumental in decoding a hidden message from Demaratus, a Spartan King in exile, who’d sent across a warning to Sparta about an impending Persian invasion, which would eventually lead to the battle of Thermopylae. Like all Spartan women, it can be postulated that Gorgo, too, underwent the same training and education as her fellow countrywomen and would’ve been both athletic and intelligent.
Queen Gorgo's story transcends her individual life, becoming a symbol of Spartan women's strength, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to their society. Her legacy reminds us of the potential women held in ancient Greek society, even within its limitations, and serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities and nuances that cannot be captured in one-dimensional narratives. Additionally, Queen Gorgo has also found depictions in pop-culture retellings of significant events from Greek history.
