Greek goddess of Victory. Daughter of giant Pallas and the river Styx according to Hesiod. Fought on the side of Zeus against the Titans. Was initially associated with Pallas Athena, and both Athena and Zeus have been depicted carrying small figures of Nike, indicating that she is an attribute of both of them. When with Athena, Nike is always wingless. When alone, she is always winged. Nike appears carrying a palm branch, wreath, or a caduceus of Hermes. She's frequently seen flying above a victor in a competition. She eventually came to be seen as a mediator of success between man and the gods.

http://www.kornea.com/kimages/nike.jpg

The above statue of Nike was found in Samothrace in 1863. It is thought to have been created by a Rhodian sculptor between 220 and 190 B.C. and is currently in the Louvre.