Fortuna (Roman Goddess)

FORTUNA, the Roman goddess of chance, called Tyche by the Greeks. She personified the combination of circumstances which we call luck or fortune. It was supposed that she smiled at the birth of the successful, and frowned on those whose efforts resulted m failure. Temples were built to her at Corinth, Smyrna, and Elis, and statues were erected at Antium. In her temple at Thebes she is represented holding the infant Plutus in her arms to symbolize her power over riches and prosperity. According to a Roman legend, she put off her wings and shoes, and threw away her rudder when entering the capital, as an indication that she meant to dwell in the Eternal City forever.