Page 3 - July Newsletter

This lovely and graceful work is a Scholars believe that our statue of
sculptor’s depiction of Nike, the the Winged Victory was created to
Greek goddess of victory. No one commemorate a great Hellenistic
can possess Victory forever. A naval battle that ended in victory.
conqueror holds her only until They are still arguing about which
another winner wrests her away. battle it was and who the winner
Some art historians believe that she was. Dating the statue is also a
is often portrayed
with wings to indicate contested matter,
that she can take but the second or
flight at any time. third century B.C.
Occasionally, she is are now thought to
presented in other be the most likely
ways. In another dates. Another set
version, the goddess of academic
is portrayed fastening arguments
her sandal, so she can revolves around
take off swiftly when whether or not she
it is time for her to held anything in
run away to yet her missing hands.
another big winner. Images of Nike on
Coins were an coins sometimes
acceptable medium show her holding a
of payment in trumpet, a banner
Classical Greek times or a victory wreath.
and then later during The original of our
the Hellenistic era. copy stood upon a
Often the image of a gray marble
patron deity was pedestal carved to
engraved on coins. resemble the prow
The goddess of of a naval war
victory appeared from time to time vessel. Many art
on coins minted to celebrate historians believe that the entire
victories. The coin portrayals offer monument stood in either a pool or
us more information on ways in a fountain. In the past, some writers
which she was depicted. thought the artist intended her to
be the figurehead of a ship, but this
is no longer considered valid.