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Museum of Classical Archaeology Databases

Nike of Paionios

Flying figure representing victory. From the inscription found with it we can deduce that it was put up at the time of the capture of the town of Sphakteria from the Spartans, in 425 BCE.

The figure originally had wings, now mostly missing, and is landing gently on her left foot, with her drapery blown against her body. It originally stood near the temple of Zeus on a triangular pillar about 6 metres high, which can still be seen in situ at Olympia

Number: 
159
Material: 
Marble
Location of Original: 

Olympia Museum

Size: 
2.16m
Accession: 

Purchased 23 May 1877 by the Fitzwilliam Museum from the casting establishment of the Berlin Museum. Transferred to the Museum in 1884. Inscription purchased in 1884 from Berlin?

References: 

Lippold: Griechische Plastik, 205 (n.3-5), pl. 71.2
Richter: Sculpture & Sculptors of the Greeks (1950), 244, fig.637; 639-40 for the head
Walston: Catalogue of Casts in the Museum of Classical Archaeology (1889), 61, no.273
Lawrence: Classical Sculpture (1928), 229-, pls. 68 & 69a
Bulle: Der Schöne Mensch im Altertum (1922), 84-, no.123
Stewart: Greek Sculpture, 89, pls. 408-411
Inscription: IvO 259; IG V.1, 1568

Date: 
425-420 BCE
Sculptor: 
Paionios of Mende
Inscription: 

The Messanians and the Naupaktians dedicated this statue to Zeus Olympios from the spoils of the wars. Paionios of Mende made it, who also won the competition to make the akroteria of the temple

Provenance: 

Excavated at Olympia in 1875-6, along with parts of the base and the inscription

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