Cynisca Persuasive Speech

In last week’s Olympic games we bore witness to some returning beloved champions as well as some fresh faces! Let’s not forget why we participate in these games my fellow citizens! Every four years we gather at Olympia to participate in a series of games in honor of Zeus. The days leading up to the commencement of the games, champions must travel from all across the country and in order to do this safely, an Olympic Truce must be called. This is presumably one of the only times it is safe to travel across the country but let’s not get caught up on that! In order to participate in these strenuous games, each young man must pledge an oath to the beloved statue of Zeus that they have been in training for ten months. The training and dedication

It is widely known that women were simply not allowed to attend these games, however, we all bore witness to Cynisca of Sparta become the first woman to win an olympic event! Women are typically only allowed to attend the games in regards to equestrian events and even then they were not allowed to run in the games; women were only permitted to attend if they owned or trained the horses that would be in the game. Cynisca’s participation, and eventual win, has now seemingly become the symbol for societal progress for women. As the chariots neared the disastrous turns at the end of the hippodrome, sections of the crowd held their breath while others cheered from sheer excitement. Every team knew that each approach to a turn could be the end of the race for them, possibly even the end of their lives. As Cynisca’s chariot rounded the first turn, her horses strained forward, accelerating and reaching a dangerous speed. We witnessed numerous teams get taken out while advancing towards the turns by crashing with opposing teams; were these crashes intentional? Although purposefully crashing into an opponent is illegal, we all know it has happened at one point or another! Steadily yet rapidly, Cynisca’s team overtook their opponents and showed no signs of letting up. As they passed the last chariot, the wheels bumped and squealed against those of her opponent. The audience shot to their feet in awe and disbelief; they had just bore witness to the first female winner of the chariot