Perhaps today it is difficult to meet someone who does not know anything about Greek mythology and gods, mentioned in it.With the inhabitants of Olympus we encounter in the pages of books, cartoons and feature films.Today, the heroine of our story would be the winged goddess Nike.We offer a closer look at this inhabitant of ancient Olympia.
Goddess Nick: description
In Greek mythology, her name sounds just like "Nike".She is the goddess of victory, and is the daughter of the titan Pallas and Styx monstrous creature that embodies the primeval horror.Nick grew up together with one of the most revered in the Greek mythology, the goddess of war and wisdom - Athena.It has been a great ally of Zeus in his battle with the Giants and Titans.The Greek goddess Athena Nike is accompanied everywhere by helping her in her affairs.By the way, in Roman mythology, it corresponds to Victoria.
What does the Nick?
This goddess is the personification of a happy outcome and a positive result in any case.Nick is involved not only in the military operations, but also in sports, music and religious events organized on the occasion of success.We can say that Nick is rather symbolized by the fact of perfect victory than any action and the steps leading up to it.
image of the goddess
most often the heroine of Greek mythology depicted with wings and pose rapid movement above the ground.Nicky is an essential attribute of a bandage and a wreath.Later they were joined by a palm tree, as well as a trophy and a weapon.The sculptors usually portrayed the goddess party celebration or ritual sacrifice, or messenger of victory.If it often has the attribute of Hermes - the staff.The goddess of victory Nike presents the gently nodded his head to the winner, the weightless hovering over him, as if crowning his head, then drives his chariot, then stabs the animal at the time of sacrifice, the trophy is building weapons of the defeated enemy.Her sculptures are almost always accompanied by the great sculptures of Zeus and Pallas Athena.They represent Nick in his hand more important Olympian gods.
Interesting facts
In honor of Nicky was named open in 1891 an asteroid.Also winged goddess of victory devoted XXXIII Orphic hymn.In addition, her name was taken as the basis for the creation of an American sports brand name «Nike».
Temple of Athena Nike
One of the largest extant place of worship of the goddess is in the Athenian Acropolis.It is called "The Temple of Athena Nike."It is also sometimes referred to as "The Temple of Athena Nike,".
construction is located on a steep hill on the right side of the main entrance (propylene).Here the locals to worship the goddess in the hope that it will contribute to a positive outcome in the long war against the Spartans and their allies (the Peloponnesian War).
Unlike most of the Acropolis, which can be entered only through the main entrance, the sanctuary of the winged goddess was available.This temple was built by the famous architect Roman named Kallikrates between 427 and 424 years BC.Before this place was a sanctuary of Athena, which was destroyed by the Persians in about 480 BC.The building is a amphiprostyle - type temple in ancient Greece, both the front and rear facade of which are located in a row of four columns.Stylobate construction consists of three stages.Friezes adorn the sculpted reliefs depicting Zeus, Poseidon and Athena, as well as scenes of military battles.The originals of the surviving fragments of these decorations today kept in the British Museum, in the Greek temple is possible to contemplate a copy.
Like most Acropolitan facilities, the temple was built from Nicky Pentelic marble.A few years after the completion of its construction the building was surrounded by a parapet to protect people from the possible fall from a high cliff.Inside the church is a statue of Nike.In one hand she held a helmet (symbol of war), and the other - a pomegranate (symbol of fertility).Unlike the majority of the received images, statue had no wings.This was done specifically - to win never left the walls of the city.Actually, so the construction of the temple and was named Nicky Asperos ie wingless victory.
Nike of Samothrace
This sculpture is another depicting the Olympic goddess come down to us from ancient times.Her pieces of more than 200 pieces have been brought from Greece to Paris Charles Shampuazo archaeologist in 1863.Thanks to the hard work and efforts of restorers have revived magnificent statue.Although the goddess Nike is deprived of the hands and the head, and one wing (which eventually was made of plaster), she won all lovers of art and has for many decades one of the most valuable exhibits of the Louvre.
