Nike

Nike was the winged goddess and personified spirit (daemon) of victory; both in war and in peaceful competition.

Residence: Mount Olympus
Symbols: Golden sandals, wings and wreath
Parents: Pallas and Styx
Siblings: Bia, Cratus and Zelus
Roman equivalent: Victoria

Winged Vicory of Brescia, 1st c. AD. (c) Wolfgang Moroder

When Zeus was gathering allies at the start of the Titanomachy, Styx brought her four children Nike (Victory), Zelus (Rivalry), Cratus (Strength) and Bia (Force) into the god’s service. Nike was appointed his charioteer and together the four became sentinels of Zeus‘ throne.

Nike was closely identified with the goddess Athena and at times was little more than an attribute of the goddess. Nike was sometimes multiplied into a host of Nicae (Victories).

The Winged Victory of Samothrace, c. 200-190 BC. The Louvre. (c) Lyokoi88
Goddess Nike at Ephesus, Turkey.JPG
Stone carving of the goddess Nike at the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus.
Statuette of Nike found in Vani, Georgia. (c) Sefer azeri
Detail of Attic red-figure amphora, c. 400-390 BC, depicting Nike driving the chariot of Zeus. The Louvre. (c) theoi.com
Roman mosaic of the Triumph of Dionysus with Nike crowning him, 3rd c. AD. Sousse Archaeological Museum. (c) theoi.com

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