In
Greek mythology, Nike (pronounced
/ˈnaɪkiː/;
Greek Νίκη
pronounced
níːkɛː, meaning
Victory, was a
goddess who personified
triumph throughout the ages of the
ancient Greek culture. Depending upon the time of various myths, she was
described as the daughter of
Pallas (Titan) and
Styx (Water), and the sister of
Cratos (Strength),
Bia (Force), and of
Zelus (Rivalry). Nike and her siblings
all became described as attendants of
Zeus when his cult gained the position
of the dominant deity of the Greek pantheon and the roles of older
deities were changed in new myths. According to classical (later) myth,
Styx brought them to Zeus when the god was assembling allies for the
Titan War against the older deities.
Nike assumed the role of the divine
charioteer, a role in which she often
is portrayed in Classical Greek art. Her Roman counterpart is
Victoria. Nike is seen with wings in
most statues and paintings. Most other winged deities in the Greek
pantheon had shed their wings by Classical times. |