| This article is about the Rhodian woman. You may be looking for the memory. |
Kallipateira was a 5th century BCE Greek woman. She was the daughter of Diagoras of Rhodes and the sister of Dorieus, as well as the mother of Peisirrhodos.
Biography[]
Some time after her husband and Peisirrhodos' father died, Kallipateira escorted her son to the 428 BCE Olympic Games. While there, Kallipateira received a letter from an anonymous admirer, extolling Kallipateira's devotion to her late husband, for whom she was making daily offerings at the shrines and altars.[1]
Kallipateira wanted to see her son compete, and since it was against the law for married women to watch the competitions, she attempted to sneak into the stadium dressed as a man. She was caught and publicly shamed outside the Hippodrome by the Priestess of Demeter and the Spartan Judge.[1]
The clamoring crowd drew the attention of the Spartan misthios Kassandra, who was visiting the Sanctuary of Olympia in place of the Spartan champion Testikles. Contesting the mistreatment of the woman, Kassandra spoke with the Priestess who was charging her. The Priestess informed Kassandra of the laws of the Olympics, and told Kassandra to find the proof that Kallipateira had, as she claimed, the right to watch her son compete. While Kassandra conducted her investigation at the resting area of the Sanctuary, Kallipateira was escorted to the top of the mount Kronion north of the city.[1]
Kassandra intervened, and saved Kallipateira's life by proving that she was indeed who she claimed to be, the daughter, sister, mother and aunt of Olympic champions.[1]
Trivia[]
- Kallipateira's story is known from history via the geographer Pausanias, who claimed that due to her dressing up as a man to watch the sport events, a law requiring trainers to strip before entering the arena was written.
Gallery[]
