01 · The stories
Myths & defining acts
Child of Styx, who with her siblings takes her place beside Zeus (Hesiod, Theogony 383–403).
02 · Sacred lineage
Family & relations
In Hesiod, Nike is a child of the Titan Pallas and Styx, with her siblings Zelus, Kratos and Bia (Theogony 383–388).
Greek literary genealogies and Roman cult identities are not interchangeable. Explore the family tree and its traditions.
03 · Places of devotion
Abode & sacred sites
The temple of Wingless Victory on the Athenian Acropolis (Pausanias 1.22.4); the statue of Victory on a pillar at Olympia by Paeonius of Mende (Pausanias 5.26.1); and in Rome the altar of Victory in the Senate house, given by Octavian in 29 BC, according to modern reference works.
04 · Two traditions
Greek & Roman perspectives
The Greek perspective
Hesiod makes Nike one of the children of Styx who stay with Zeus (Theogony 383–403). Pausanias describes the temple of Wingless Victory on the Acropolis (1.22.4) and the statue at Olympia (5.26.1).
The Roman perspective
Modern reference works record that sacrifice was made to Victoria at her altar in the Senate house before every meeting, that Octavian gave the altar in 29 BC, and that the altar became the subject of conflict between pagan senators and Christian emperors in the later fourth century.
05 · Extensive analysis
A closer reading
Hesiod makes Nike a child of Styx who is honoured at the side of Zeus. Pausanias describes her cult statues at Athens and Olympia, and in Rome her altar in the Senate house became a symbol in the conflict over pagan rites.
06 · Primary sources
What the sources say
These are the main ancient passages behind this entry, with what each one actually says.
- Hesiod, Theogony lines 383–403
Styx and Pallas have as children Zelus, Nike, Kratos and Bia, who live with Zeus.
Read the passage - Pausanias, Description of Greece book 1, chapter 22, section 4
On the right of the gateway to the Acropolis is a temple of Wingless Victory.
Read the passage - Pausanias, Description of Greece book 5, chapter 26, section 1
At Olympia stands the image of Victory upon a pillar, the work of Paeonius of Mende.
Read the passage - Wikipedia, Victoria (mythology), a modern summary section on the Altar of Victory
Sacrifice was made to Victoria at her Senate-house altar before every meeting, an altar given by Octavian in 29 BC; it later became a point of conflict between Christian emperors and pagan senators.
Read the passage - Wikipedia, Altar of Victory, a modern summary introduction
The altar stood in the Roman Senate House.
Read the passage
07 · Story & deeper insight
Nike and Victoria: how victory becomes visible
When Zeus calls for support against the Titans, Styx brings her children, including Nike. Their reward is an enduring place beside him. Victory is thus not merely the result of battle: in the divine genealogy it is a power attached to the new sovereign and his successful alliance.
Nike's familiar wings, wreaths and association with trophies make an otherwise fleeting event visible. A victory can happen once, but an image preserves it as evidence of favour and achievement. Her relationship with Athena in Athenian worship is one example of how this personification became embedded in civic religion.
Nike and Victoria show how religion, art and power gave lasting form to the unstable experience of winning.