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
Nike of Paionios Nike of Paionios The Nike of Paionios is an ancient statue of the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, made by sculptor Paionios in 425–420 BC. Made of Parian marble, the statue was restored from many fragments, but is lacking face, neck, forearms, part of left leg, toes and some fragments of drapery. It also had wings. The goddess is shown landing gently on her left foot, with the drapery blown against her body. The statue was excavated at Olympia in 1875–76 and originally stood near the temple of Zeus on a triangular 6-metre high pillar. Including the pillar, the statue