Red figured oinochoe (wine jug) depicting Nike at an altar
The vase is decorated with a representation of Nike (Victory) at an altar. The winged goddess wears a crown and is dressed in a long garment (chiton) and cloak. She bends over an altar. With her right hand, she is sprinkling incense on the flames, taken from a small container she holds with her left hand.
Nike often appears in Attic vases depicting sports or music competitions, either participating in a game such as horse racing, or as a spectator of the race, or carrying prizes, always as a harbinger of success. Quite often, she is depicted taking part in sacrifices and other cult and thanksgiving rituals.
The concepts of competition (agon) and victory were core values of the Greek civilization.
- Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens
- Athenian Agora Museum, inv. n. P 15010
- Ca 490 – 480 BC
- H. 0.187 m. Diam. 0.143 m.
- Clay
- Provenance: Athenian Agora excavations
Bibliography
- Moore, M. B. (1997). Attic Red-Figured and White-Ground Pottery. The Athenian Agora, T. 30, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 1997, pp. iii–419, no. 684, pl. 73.
- Moustaka, A., Goulaki-Voutira, A. & Grote, U., (1981-1997). Nike in LIMC VI - Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae, I-VIII.
- Τουράτσογλου, Ι. & Κουρίνου, E. (2004). Το αγωνιστικό πνεύμα στην αρχαία Ελλάδα, στο Ν. Καλτσάς (Επιμ.), Αγών, κατάλογος έκθεσης, Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο, 15 Ιουλίου-31 Οκτωβρίου 2004, Αθήνα, 18-25., Αθήνα: ΥΠ.ΠΟ.
