Winged Victory of Samothrace

ancient Greece · sculpture · goddess Nike

Ancient Greek masterpiece. The Winged Victory of Samothrace was carved around 2,300 years ago during the Hellenistic era, when Greek artists were creating some of the most impressive statues the world has ever seen.

Found on an island. Archaeologists discovered this amazing sculpture on the island of Samothrace in the northeastern Aegean Sea, where it was left as an offering to the gods.

A goddess of victory. The statue shows Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, with magnificent wings spread wide as if she is just landing on the front of a ship.

Ship-shaped base. Instead of standing on a regular pedestal, the statue sits on a base carved to look like the bow (front) of a warship, making it seem like Nike is alighting onto a vessel.

Missing her head. Over thousands of years, the statue lost her head and arms, but even without them she remains one of the most beloved and famous sculptures in the world.