Nike

Goddess of Victory

In Greek mythology, Nike was a goddess who personified victory in any field including art, music, war, and athletics. Nike and Athena are both associated with victory. It is unclear whether she originated from a character trait of the Greek goddess Athena or has always existed as an independent deity.

Nike is often portrayed in literature in close association with Zeus or Athena. Athena Nike was always wingless. Nike alone was winged. She sometimes appears carrying a palm branch, wreath, or Hermes' staff as the messenger of victory. In Rome, Nike was called Victoria, and was regarded as the protecting goddess of the Senate.

Statues of Nike

There are many countless versions of Nike all over the world. But perhaps the most famous is the The Winged Victory of Samothrace, or the Nike of Samothrace, which is housed in the Louvre. It is a masterpiece of Greek sculpture representing the goddess Nike, whose head and arms are missing, and its base in the shape of a ship's bow.

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