Lower torso of a Victory; Near East, 2nd century AD.
Basalt.
Provenance: M.V. collection, Madrid.
Measurements: 48 x 28 x 22 cm (torso); 16 x 30 x 30 x 30 cm (base).
Fragment of a sculpture from the Near East dated to the 2nd century, carved in basalt and representing a Victory, the Greek Nike. The lower torso, with the belly clearly visible under the wet drapery, and the upper part of the thighs, one of which is forward, indicating that the figure would appear to be in a forward position. The movement of the drapery, undulating and raised backwards on the left side, at the level of the thighs, is typical of representations of Victory, whose garments are usually raised in the wind.
The Greek god of victory, Nike was the daughter of Zeus and Themis, goddess of eternal laws and protector of rights. She was often depicted, both in Greece and in Rome, in miniature form supported by a god of greater importance, such as Zeus or Athena, the latter goddess with whom she was associated following the battle of Salamis (480 BC). A temple was dedicated to her on the Acropolis in Athens, and her figure presided over athletic and military competitions. She was depicted as a winged woman, often carrying a palm or laurel wreath. Legend has it that Nike grew up among mortals, but returned to Olympus when she saw crime and human wickedness. There she remained in the Zodiac, under the sign of Libra. Roman mythology, however, varies the story, and presents Victoria as the personification of triumph, daughter of Stygia and sister of Potestas, Vis and Invidia. Temples were dedicated to her on the Palatine Hill and the Capitoline Hill in Rome, and statues were dedicated to her by great victors such as Augustus.