Understanding different kinds of rhythm allows you to have more options for how you want to convey a musical idea, and also allows you to accurately communicate that idea to other musicians. Also, if you use a less commonly used rhythm, you can give your music a more complex, off-kilter, or even aggressive feel.
The context of this sculpture is important, because it is actually based off of a goddess name Nike; hence the name. Nike of Samothrace was created to honor the goddess Nike and commemorate a sea battle.
