Bringing Home A Gold Medal: Cynisca, Princess of Sparta [Greek Anthology 13.16]

In Praise of Cynisca 

Name:  Unknown Date:     Unknown Region:    Unknown Citation:    Greek Anthology 13.16

My forefathers and brothers were Kings of Sparta,

I, Cynisca, erect this monument

In my chariot-racing victory.

Of all the women in Greece,

I alone can say that I brought home the prize.

 

Σπάρτας μὲν βασιλῆες ἐμοὶ πατέρες καὶ ἀδελφοί- ἅρμασι δ’ ὠκυπόδων ἵππων νικῶσα Κυνίσκα εἰκόνα τάνδ’ ἔστησα. Μόναν δέ με φαμὶ γυναικῶν Ἑλλάδος ἐκ πάσας τόνδε λαβεῖν στέφανον.

Spartae quidem reges mei patres et fratres, curribusque velocipedum equorum vincens Cynisca imaginem hanc erexi. Solam autem me aio mulierum Hellade ex omni hanc reportasse coronam. Translated into Latin by Johann Friedrich Duebner