Fortune’s WheelFortune’s Wheel

By: Crystal RyansBy: Crystal Ryans

FortunaFortuna In Roman religion, Fortuna In Roman religion, Fortuna

is the goddess of fortune. is the goddess of fortune. She appears to have She appears to have

originally been a goddess of originally been a goddess of fertility. fertility.

Romans pictured Fortuna as Romans pictured Fortuna as a goddess, sometimes a goddess, sometimes blindfolded to indicate that blindfolded to indicate that luck was a matter of "blind luck was a matter of "blind chance."chance."

TycheTyche

Fortuna was later identified with Tyche, the Greek Fortuna was later identified with Tyche, the Greek goddess of luck or chance.goddess of luck or chance.

Daughter of Zeus and a sister of the Fates.Daughter of Zeus and a sister of the Fates. She had a temple at Argos where the first set of dice She had a temple at Argos where the first set of dice

were said to have been invented.were said to have been invented. Some times Tyche is shown with wings to symbolize Some times Tyche is shown with wings to symbolize

how luck can "fly away." how luck can "fly away."

Tyche or FortunaTyche or Fortuna

Usually depicted holding a Usually depicted holding a rudder in one hand and a rudder in one hand and a cornucopia (or horn of plenty) cornucopia (or horn of plenty) in the other. in the other.

The rudder she used to steer The rudder she used to steer men to good luck or bad. Thus men to good luck or bad. Thus the rudder signified that she the rudder signified that she guides the destiny of the world.guides the destiny of the world.

The cornucopia that she held in The cornucopia that she held in the other hand indicates that she the other hand indicates that she was the provider of abundance.was the provider of abundance.

Fortuna’s WheelFortuna’s Wheel

In earlier times, the In earlier times, the wheel is depicted as a wheel is depicted as a globe in which Fortuna globe in which Fortuna stands, turning it with stands, turning it with her feet.her feet.

In the twelfth century, In the twelfth century, however, Fortuna is however, Fortuna is shown standing next to shown standing next to the mechanical which the mechanical which she controls with a she controls with a lever.lever.

Fortuna’s Wheel (cont.)Fortuna’s Wheel (cont.)

The Wheel served to remind people that earthly The Wheel served to remind people that earthly things were only temporary.things were only temporary.

It was particularly geared towards reminding nobles It was particularly geared towards reminding nobles who were seen as being the “most susceptible to the who were seen as being the “most susceptible to the sin of ambition and the wiles of Fortune.”sin of ambition and the wiles of Fortune.”

There are usually four figures depicted on the wheel: There are usually four figures depicted on the wheel: one at the top, one at the bottom, one rising, and one one at the top, one at the bottom, one rising, and one falling. These figures were usually guised as kings.falling. These figures were usually guised as kings.

Fortune’s Wheel (cont.)Fortune’s Wheel (cont.)

Idea of the Wheel seems to have began with classical Idea of the Wheel seems to have began with classical philosophers.philosophers.

It’s influence in the Middle Ages can be traced It’s influence in the Middle Ages can be traced mostly to the mostly to the Consolation of Philosophy, Consolation of Philosophy, which was which was written by the Roman philosopher Boethius while he written by the Roman philosopher Boethius while he was in prison.was in prison.

BoethiusBoethius

Roman philosopher.Roman philosopher. Started as a commoner working in the court of Started as a commoner working in the court of

Theoderic the Great.Theoderic the Great. Rising-He has a successful career, he was happily Rising-He has a successful career, he was happily

married, and his sons attained the positions of consuls married, and his sons attained the positions of consuls (the highest honor a Roman could attain).(the highest honor a Roman could attain).

Falling-Some of the kings advisors convinced Falling-Some of the kings advisors convinced Theoderic that Boethius (as well as many others) of Theoderic that Boethius (as well as many others) of “subverting his rule.”“subverting his rule.”

Boethius (cont.)Boethius (cont.)

Falsely accused of treason and thrown in jail.Falsely accused of treason and thrown in jail. Consolation of Philosophy-Consolation of Philosophy-Throughout this work, Throughout this work,

Boethius complains about his particular misfortunes, Boethius complains about his particular misfortunes, about Fortune, and how she upsets the harmony of about Fortune, and how she upsets the harmony of

man.man. All the while Philosophy tries to console him All the while Philosophy tries to console him

and remind him thatand remind him that he has never really possessed the he has never really possessed the things which fortune had taken away from him. If he things which fortune had taken away from him. If he did, then he could not have lost them.did, then he could not have lost them.

Resources and Additional LinksResources and Additional Links

http://www.bufferstock.org/fortuna.htmhttp://www.bufferstock.org/fortuna.htm http://www.entrenet.com/~groedmed/greekm/http://www.entrenet.com/~groedmed/greekm/

mythtych.htmlmythtych.html http://www.arcgl.org/Bo2.htmlhttp://www.arcgl.org/Bo2.html http://www.byu.edu/ipt/projects/middleages/http://www.byu.edu/ipt/projects/middleages/

LifeTimes/Fortune.htmlLifeTimes/Fortune.html http://www.entrenet.com/~groedmed/greekm/http://www.entrenet.com/~groedmed/greekm/

myth.htmlmyth.html http://myron.sjsu.edu/romeweb/rcoins/sub1/art28.htmhttp://myron.sjsu.edu/romeweb/rcoins/sub1/art28.htm