Women in sports from ancient Olympics to 2013 Triple Crown

Women have been participating in sporting events since the ancient Olympics. Now of course, their participation was limited but that didn’t stop them from excelling where they could. Pictured below is  Cynisca, a Spartan princess  racing her chariot. 

Did you know?

• There were a handful of female winners at the ancient Olympic Games. While women were prohibited from directly competing in events like running, wrestling and jumping, they were allowed to enter horses in chariot races. These women were banned from driving the chariots themselves, but as owners and trainers they were still eligible to claim the victory wreath. The first female to do so was Cynisca, a Spartan princess who won a four-horse race called the tethrippon at both the 396 and 392 B.C. Olympics. She was followed by other female Olympic victors, including Bilistiche in 268 B.C. and Timareta and Theodota in 84 B.C.
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 To read the full article go to: http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/7-ancient-sports-stars

Zenobia may have heard the stories of these triumphant ladies and was inspired by them. Zenobia – Birth of a Legend ends with Zenobia competing in a horse race in Alexandria, Egypt. This upsets some very powerful men. They don’t like the idea of a girl in a man’s event and the outcome of the race will change Zenobia’s life forever. As you will find out in book two,  Zenobia – Challenging a Legend–COMING SOON!

From the earliest times to modern days, women have been participating in sports in some way or another. We’d like to think maybe Zenobia’s story has inspired others. Like Rosie, the first woman jockey to participate in all three prestigious races called the Triple Crown in one year.

“‘Judge me on my talent, not my sex.”

 

Firsts In Women’s Sports History

“There’s no doubt that there have always been athletic, strong, and talented women, but the opportunity to compete wasn’t always there.  Take a look at the PHOTO GALLERY  to view some amazing “firsts” in women’s sports.”

http://www.makers.com/blog/firsts-womens-sports-history-photo-gallery

11 things you may not know about Ancient Egypt-

To read the full article please visit: http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/11-things-you-may-not-know-about-ancient-egypt

Ancient Egypt stood as one of the world’s most advanced civilizations for nearly 3,000 years and created a culture so rich that it has spawned its own field of study.

11 things you may not know about Ancient Egypt –

1. Cleopatra was not Egyptian

Along with King Tut, perhaps no figure is more famously associated with ancient Egypt than Cleopatra VII. But while she was born in Alexandria, Cleopatra was actually part of a long line of Greek Macedonians originally descended from Ptolemy I, one of Alexander the Great’s most trusted lieutenants. The Ptolemaic Dynasty ruled Egypt from 323 to 30 B.C., and most of its leaders remained largely Greek in their culture and sensibilities. In fact, Cleopatra was famous for being one of the first members of the Ptolemaic dynasty to actually speak the Egyptian language. (SEE AT THE END OF THIS POST AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ZENOBIA AND CLEOPATRA.)

2. The ancient Egyptians forged one of the earliest peace treaties on record

3. Ancient Egyptians loved board games

After a long day’s work along the Nile River, Egyptians often relaxed by playing board games. Several different games were played, including “Mehen” and “Dogs and Jackals,” but perhaps the most popular was a game of chance known as “Senet.”

4. Egyptian women had a wide range of rights and freedoms

5. Egyptian workers were known to organize labor strikes

6. Egyptian pharaohs were often overweight

7. The pyramids were not built by slaves 

These ancient construction workers were a mix of skilled artisans and temporary hands, and some appear to have taken great pride in their craft. Graffiti found near the monuments suggests they often assigned humorous names to their crews like the “Drunkards of Menkaure” or the “Friends of Khufu.”

8. King Tut may have been killed by a hippopotamus 

Scans of the young king’s body show that he was embalmed without his heart or his chest wall. This drastic departure from traditional Egyptian burial practice suggests that he may have suffered a horrific injury prior to his death. According to a handful of Egyptologists, one of the most likely causes for this wound would have been a bite from a hippopotamus.

9. Some Egyptian doctors had specialized fields of study

10. Egyptians kept many animals as pets 

The Egyptians saw animals as incarnations of the gods and were one of the first civilizations to keep household pets. Egyptians were particularly fond of cats, which were associated with the goddess Bastet, but they also had a reverence for hawks, ibises, dogs, lions and baboons. Many of these animals held a special place in the Egyptian home, and they were often mummified and buried with their owners after they died.

11. Egyptians of both sexes wore makeup 

Both men and women were known to wear copious amounts of makeup, which they believed gave them the protection of the gods Horus and Ra. The Egyptians believed their makeup had magical healing powers, and they weren't entirely wrong: Research has shown that the lead-based cosmetics worn along the Nile actually helped stave off eye infections.

Interesting fact is Zenobia claimed to be descendant of the Ptolemaic Greek Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt. According to Augustan History, an imperial declaration in 269 was sent by  Zenobia to the citizens of Alexandria, Egypt, describing the city as “my ancestral city”.

Picture by http://www.howarddavidjohnson.com/Z97.htm

The Great Pyramid of Giza

http://www.history.com/videos/deconstructing-history-the-great-pyramid


While reading about Zenobia I've become a History.com junkie and love to read all the articles on Ancient history and especially Ancient Egypt where Zenobia spends the last part of book one Zenobia- Birth of a Legend and almost all of Zenobia - Challenging a Legend, book two. One of my favorite things about history.com is the Did you know? section. Here are some interesting facts about The Great Pyramid of Giza:


Did You Know? The Great Pyramid of Giza was so ahead of its time that it stood as mankind’s most significant architectural achievement for several millennia. Built in 2560 B.C. for the pharaoh Khufu, the structure consists of some 2.3 million stone blocks and took an army of workers 20 years to complete. Not only is it the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is the only one still standing. Perhaps most astonishing of all, at 481 feet tall (now 456 feet after centuries of erosion) the Great Pyramid stood as the world’s tallest structure for over 3,800 years.

Interesting fact I took from the History.com video above is the base of  The Great Pyramid is a square with each side measuring 756 feet. That can fit nearly 10 football fields.   

 

Read where Zenobia visit the pyramids in Zenobia - Birth of a Legend, book one, chapter 29.

Zenobia learns from her mother in Zenobia - Challenging a Legend

Picture by Howard David Johnson  http://www.howarddavidjohnson.com/Z64.htm

In book two, Zenobia - Challenging a Legend the education Zenobia receives is not always in the classroom. As a mother, Zelina is afraid of where these lessons may lead her daughter. Read some sentences from the scene below:

Zenobia tried to reassure her. “I need to know these matters to know the Greek and Roman cultures. And I will need to know those societies if I get to rule someday. That does not mean I am drawn to those ways of life.”

***

"You had to defend me from the morals of our tribe to save my life! In my view, you are the most courageously righteous person I have ever known.” Zenobia was silent briefly, then she added, “I get my love of justice from you. I hope I can live up to your example. 

 Zelina could not hold back her tears, and she was too choked up to reply.

Zenobia continued, “Therefore, I respect your words, as I respect your person. But do not worry about me being influenced by Roman or Greek ideology. I am committed to my course.”

The Lioness of Palmyra

Picture by Howard David Johnson http://www.howarddavidjohnson.com/legendary-women.htm

The experience where Zenobia's  mother Zelina saves her life is what molds Zenobia into a warrior and a queen. That experience taught her at a very young age that life is not fair and this became a life long goal for Zenobia to seek justice.

"Be thankful for all the struggles you go through.

They make you stronger, wiser and humble.

Don't let it break you, let it make you." - Unknown