Fortuna - loved and worshipped
and that already in the 6th century B.C.
It is not surprising that King Servius Tullius ( died 534 BC and probably 6th king of Rome ), is said to have dedicated 26 temples to the goddess Fortuna. Because if you can believe the legend, he was born as the son of a slave girl, who made a career through the favor of the goddess of fate, and ascended the Roman throne. She must have charmed him when she paid him a visit, choosing the window as an entry point, because - this too is possibly only legend - he then introduced her cult, which soon spread throughout the country.
- Relief size ca 35x20cm
- Place of discovery: Germania superior, Walhein, district Ludwigsburg
- Original in the Landesmuseum Stuttgart
- Hanging on the back of the Fortuna relief
Fortuna temple in Rome
It seems to have been something like a market gap, because cult places of the goddess Fortuna existed soon in the whole empire, in Rome, Antium and Latium. 30 Fortuna temples are known in Rome alone, one of them on the Via Campana, across the Tiber. But it was not only Servius Tullius who worshipped the goddess, there is evidence that private citizens, legionaries, consuls and emperors alike worshipped her. On the Field of Mars, near the Porta Triumphalis, Augustus and Domitian had a temple built to Fortuna.
Fortuna was beautiful, serene, cheerful, loved and worshipped a thousand times.
Her auspicious powers were requested and invoked. People always have wishes, are in distress and need help. Who may it have been who turned to her and implored her to pour out her cornucopia? More than two 2 millennia ago, people made offerings to her and implored her to give happiness, bring success and give the decisive turn to destiny.
June 24 was her great day. Fors Fortuna was honored on Via Campana and on the Tiber. A splendid procession, with wreaths decorated barges, went down the Tiber, past the sanctuaries, wine was drunk and laughter was heard. The procession also passed by the salt lakes, which is why it is believed that Fortuna also protected the salt transport.
She was represented with a cornucopia, an orb and a rudder. From Isis she took over the moon disk and the caduceus. Farmers and sailors also turned to the goddess, for she guided the fortunes on land and sea.
The beautifully framed relief shows the goddess in a chiton and cloak. On her head she wears a diadem, in her right hand she holds the helm, in her left hand the cornucopia.
Is there anyone who does not need luck?
The little goddess Fortuna is a wonderful gift for all those who are wished good luck.
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