Cynisca was a Spartan princess who was born around 440 BC. She was the daughter of Spartan king Agesilaus II. She became the first woman in history to win at the ancient Olympic Games. (While most women in the ancient Greek world were kept in seclusion and forbidden to learn any kind of skills in sports, riding or hunting, Spartan women by contrast were brought up from girlhood to excel at these things and to disdain household chores.)

Although the ancient Games were almost entirely male-only, women were allowed to enter the equestrian events - not by running, but by owning the horses. Cynisca won in the four-horse chariot race in 396 BC and again in 392 BC.

In Olympia, Greece, Cynisca had an inscription written declaring that she was the only female to win the wreath in the chariot events at the Olympic Games.

In fact, "Cynisca" may not have been her true name, but a nickname (meaning "Puppy"). Very little is known of her other than her Olympic victories.