Temple of Athena Nike – why did the Athenians clip Nike’s Wings?

“… showed Athena at leisure watching Nikai (plural of Nike as victory) bringing her bulls for sacrifice and presenting her with trophies. The artistic style is remarkable for its depiction of the body visible beneath a thin layer of cloth draped in folds.”

Erechtheion and Athens’ Myth of Origins

Athena’s serpent was known to dwell beneath the Erechtheion and priestesses were assigned to serve it honey-cakes regularly. If the serpent ever left a cake uneaten, it spelled doom for the city. This had purportedly happened before the Persians attacked in 480 BCE. These priestesses were also responsible for the ritual bathing and dressing of Athena Polias.