Painted Panel of the Winged Goddess of Victory, or Nike

 

Painted Wood, H. 38.0 cm, W. 11.5 cm, D. 0.8 cm. From the Palmyrene Gate, Dura-Europos, 265–256 CE. Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1929.288. Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery.

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Paint on Wood, H. 38.0 cm, W. 11.5 cm, D. 0.8 cm
From the Palmyrene Gate, Dura-Europos, 165–256 CE
Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1929.288
Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

This winged Victory (Nike in Greek) alighting on a globe is painted on one shutter of a small wooden shrine that may have contained an image of the emperor. It was dedicated by a group of soldiers on behalf of their commander and his family. The personification of Victory is common in a military context.