The New Student's Reference Work/Fortuna

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See also Fortuna (mythology) on Wikipedia, and the disclaimer.


Fortu’na, called by the Greeks Tyche, was, in mythology, the goddess of chance. Pindar considers her a sister of the Fates. She differed from them, however, in working without law, conferring joy or sorrow as she pleased. She had temples at Smyrna, Corinth and Elis, and two statues of her at Antium were consulted as oracles. Greek poets and sculptors represented her with a rudder, with a ball or wheel or with wings. The Romans proudly said that when she entered their city, she threw away her ball and put off her wings and shoes, to indicate that she meant to dwell with them forever.