Nike (mythology) Nike (mythology) In ancient Greek religion, Nike (; , "Victory" ) was a goddess who personified victory. Her Roman equivalent was Victoria. The word νίκη "nikē" is of uncertain etymology. R. S. P. Beekes has suggested a Pre-Greek origin. Others have connected it to Proto-Indo-European *"neik"- (“to attack, start vehemently”), making it cognate with Greek νεῖκος ("neikos", "strife") and Lithuanian "ap-ni̇̀kti" ("to attack"). Nike was variously described as the daughter of the Titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, and the sister of Kratos (Strength), Bia (Force), and Zelus (Zeal). ""And Styx the daughter of Ocean was joined to Pallas and
Minoan snake goddess figurines "snake goddess" reduced in legend into a folklore heroine was Ariadne (whose name might mean "utterly pure" or "the very holy one"), who is often depicted surrounded by Maenads and satyrs. Some scholars relate the snake goddess with the Phoenician Astarte ("virgin daughter"). She was the goddess of fertility and sexuality and her worship was connected with an orgiastic cult. Her temples were decorated with serpentine motifs. In a related Greek myth Europa, who is sometimes identified with Astarte in ancient sources, was a Phoenician princess whom Zeus abducted and carried to Crete. Evans tentatively linked the snake goddess with