Victoria Romana Hadrians Library

The Victoria Romana from Hadrian's Library is a large marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike (Victoria to Romans), discovered in 1988 at the site of Hadrian's Library in Athens. The statue, created in the first century BC, likely commemorates Emperor Augustus's victory over the Parthians in 18 BC. It was later moved to Hadrian's Library during his reign (117–138 AD) as a tribute to Augustus. The sculpture is larger-than-life-size but lacks its head, arms, wings, and part of its left leg. A fragmentary head found in 1992 may belong to it but remains detached.

The statue depicts Victoria wearing a peplos, landing from the sky with her right foot on a globe and her left leg advancing. Her missing arms were likely raised, and her drapery is carved to suggest movement, with folds around her legs. The rear of the sculpture is less detailed, and a square socket at the base indicates it was secured at a great height. A second fragment found in 1999 suggests there may have been a group of similar statues.

The Victoria Romana is now displayed in a small exhibition room at Hadrian's Library but is not currently accessible to the public. The sculpture’s design, with its globe and dynamic pose, reflects Augustan influence and Roman imperial ideology, though its exact origins remain unclear.