Cynisca and the Olive Crown

The Games at Olympia have ever been a competition of men–until Cynisca enters her chariot.

Seventeen-year-old Cynisca is the awkward princess in the Spartan Royal House. Unlike her savvy siblings, her only talents lie in horsemanship, and to her politically minded relatives, she’s useless. But that changes when her crippled brother abruptly inherits the throne. His ascent sparks controversy, and when an anti-royalist insults the new king, Cynisca snaps. Challenging the scoffer to a horse race, she humiliates him and gives the king an idea: to cement royal authority by having Cynisca defeat his detractors in the great chariot race at Olympia.

Cynisca jumps at the chance. For her, it’s a rare opportunity to make her family proud. But the stakes–Olympic glory and unparalleled clout–are enormous. Moreover, no woman has ever dared enter the Games. With hostility from officials and entrants alike, the journey to Olympia may prove more treacherous than any track Cynisca’s raced.

This story, which is based upon actual events, is my current work in progress, and most of my Research Ramblings will come from the tidbits I discover on this project.