Business Stories and Legends:
The goddess Athena Nike and the iconic Nike logo
Although Barcelona was not a Greek polis like cities like Athens or Sparta, the Hellenic influence is felt in a subtle but profound way in the city. This influence was transmitted mainly through the Romans, who in turn had been strongly influenced by Greek culture. Want to see how? Find out for yourself on our Barcelona Tour. But in the meantime, immerse yourself in the history of the goddess Athena Nike and her influence on Nike.
The goddess of victory in Greek Olympus
On Olympus, where the gods spend their days throwing banquets and unleashing storms for no reason, there was a goddess who stood out for her skill on the battlefield: Athena. She was the goddess of wisdom, military strategy and, above all, victory. That's why the Greeks also knew her as Athena Nike, the one who brought success to those who knew when to use their brains and when to use the spear. In other words, the divine version of the phrase "think before you act."
Athena Nike: The divine coach of warriors
Athena Nike, with her little wing on her back and a laurel wreath ready to crown the winners, was the goddess that every warrior wanted on their side. With her, there was no battle to lose or Olympics to come in second. She was, basically, the personal coach of the Greeks. Although without the typical motivational talk of “you can do it!” because, well, she knew they could.
From Olympus to the most famous logo in the world
And so, between victories and celebrations, Nike's image was consolidated as the ultimate symbol of success and speed. Why am I telling you all this? Because a few centuries later, a guy called Phil Knight, who had no idea about Greek mythology but knew that he needed to sell sneakers, was inspired by this same goddess to give life to the brand that we all know today.
The creation of the iconic swoosh
This is where Carolyn Davidson comes in, the graphic design student who, instead of just designing anything with wings (because, come on, the 70s were full of them), decided to capture the essence of Athena Nike in one simple stroke. So, instead of sending poor Phil to face the wrath of Zeus, Carolyn created a line that symbolizes speed, strength, and… victory! The famous Nike Swoosh was at the ready!
But surprise! When Carolyn showed off her masterpiece, Phil Knight, instead of bowing down to her like a grateful demigod, simply said, “I’m not in love, but I’ll get used to it.” What a way to greet the modern reincarnation of Athena Nike!
And although Carolyn received a measly $35 for her creation (the cheapest victory in the history of design), that curved line became the most recognizable logo on the planet. And just to show you how fate laughs in our faces, Carolyn eventually came to accept it thanks to her infinite kindness and thanks to a few Nike shares (which Phil Knight compensated her years later for 600,000 euros). Nike, the goddess of victory, would have been proud!
The Greek story behind Nike sneakers and our Barcelona Tour
The Greek influence is palpable, especially throughout the Mediterranean. Barcelona is no exception, and if you pay attention to the right details, you can relive the history of the Greek gods from our time. Prepare your backpack, put on your Nike sneakers, and features HL Comedy to reveal to you the ins and outs of history through an exciting and fun Tour in Barcelona.
Next time you put on a pair of Nike sneakers, you'll remember: you're walking through a bit of Greek history. And if you run fast, you might even feel Athena Nike giving you a little push from Olympus... even if it's just to get to the store before closing time!
