The Nike of Epidaurus () is an ancient Greek marble statuette of
Nike
Nike often refers to:
* Nike, Inc., a major American producer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment
* Nike (mythology), a Greek goddess who personifies victory
Nike may also refer to:
People
* Nike (name), a surname and feminine giv ...
, the Greek goddess of victory, by the sculptor
Timotheos
Timotheus is a masculine given name. It is a latinized version of the Greek name (Timόtheos) meaning "one who honours God", from τιμή "honour" and θεός "god"., . The English version '' Timothy'' (and its variations) is a common name in ...
, a renowned sculptor of antiquity. The Nike was once part of the west pediment of the
temple of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing, in ancient
Epidaurus
Epidaurus () was a small city (''polis'') in ancient Greece, on the Argolid Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf. Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros: ''Palaia Epidavros'' and ''Nea Epidavros''. Since 2010 they belong to the new municipality of Epi ...
. It is now kept in the
National Archaeological Museum of Athens
The National Archaeological Museum () in Athens houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece from prehistory to late antiquity. It is considered one of the greatest museums in the world and ...
with inventory number 155 in Room 22.
History
Despite the name, it is not the only statuette of Nike found in Epidaurus, as several more others that acted as temple finials have been unearthed in the same site; it was however the largest (when intact), and the most prominent.
It was sculpted by
Timotheos
Timotheus is a masculine given name. It is a latinized version of the Greek name (Timόtheos) meaning "one who honours God", from τιμή "honour" and θεός "god"., . The English version '' Timothy'' (and its variations) is a common name in ...
(who was apparently the leading sculptor for the entire building
) around 380 BC, and it was the central ''akroterion'' (roof ornament) on the west pediment of the temple of Asclepius in Epidaurus. It is likely that the Nike was not confined entirely within the triangular space of the pediment, but rather her head protruded from it. It was excavated around 1884 or a little before that.
Description
Made of pentelic marble and with a height of 85 cm, it is smaller than lifesize.
The goddess is depicted upright, taking off and about to fly, as her left leg advances. She is wearing an almost transparent chiton and a himation on top, which billows in the wind behind her. In her right hand Nike is holding a partridge, which was a symbol of Asclepius's healing powers. Her head, left arm, right foor, left leg from below the knee are missing, while the himation and wings are broken.
See also
*
Victoria Romana (Hadrian's Library)
The ''Victoria Romana'' from Hadrian's Library () is a large sculpture of the Greek goddess of victory Nike (known to the Romans as Victoria) that once adorned Hadrian's Library, a large library built in Athens by the Roman Emperor Hadrian () d ...
*
Nike of Paionios
The ''Nike of Paionios'' is an ancient statue of the Greek goddess of victory, Nike (mythology), Nike, made by sculptor Paionios (Paeonius of Mende) between 425 BC and 420 BC. Made of Parian marble, the medium gives the statue a translucent and p ...
*
Nike of Paros
The Nike of Paros is an early classical depiction of Nike from the 5th century BC (c. 480 BC). The white marble figure was found before 1885 on the island of Paros. It is currently on display at the Archaeological Museum of Paros.
Description ...
*
Nike of Marathon
References
Bibliography
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External links
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{{Sculptures of Nike
Epidaurus
Epidaurus () was a small city (''polis'') in ancient Greece, on the Argolid Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf. Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros: ''Palaia Epidavros'' and ''Nea Epidavros''. Since 2010 they belong to the new municipality of Epi ...
Statues in Greece
Marble sculptures in Greece
Sculptures in Athens
National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Sculptures of women in Greece
4th-century BC Greek sculptures
Epidaurus
Archaeological discoveries in the Peloponnese