In Phidias’ famous statue, the small goddess of victory appears in the upturned right palm of the giant goddess of wisdom. As Athena looks out from under her helmet with serene sternness, winged Nike appears cheerful, ready to visit the battlefield with the laurels in her arms. One cannot miss the connection between Athena’s armor and spear and Nike as a goddess who rewards military valor. Phidias designed the statue at a time when the Athenians were eager to interpret their imperial strength over against the Persians as a victory of the forces of light and reason over the chthonic hordes of irrationality. Anyone familiar with this history will no doubt want me to bring up Nike’s place in times of peace. We instantly…

+Read more