Cult and iconography of Tyche/Fortuna in the Hellenistic and Roman periods

Known as Tyche in Greek world and Fortuna in the Roman civilization, the goddess of luck, fortune and fate became a prominent goddess especially in the Hellenistic period, and became one of the most effective goddesses in the ancient world by acquiring a special worship and many meanings in the Roman empire. With the political, social, cultural and religious changes of the Hellenistic period, Tyche began manifested herself frequently in iconographically. As Rome interacted with the Hellenistic world, Tyche, who was also associated with negative qualities, gradually replaced Fortuna, the local goddess of fertility, prosperity an good fortune, which had positive meanings. Thus, characteristics of Tyche influenced Fortuna's personality and iconography, and two goddess became synonymous. The iconography of the goddess has continued to change and take on different meanings due to political, religious and social changes of the periods. As a matter of fact the iconography of the goddess, who was highly revered, was used by kings, dignitaries, generals and emperors in the Hellenistic and Roman periods to praise and honor her in a wide area. Through coins, archeological evidence and literary sources, this study aims to reveal the use, development, change and spread of goddess' iconography, her attributes and cult practices that spread across the Mediterranean region from the Hellenistic period to the middle of the third century AD of the Roman Empire.