Goddess Tyche

Handmade statue of Goddess Tyche,metal-coated by Veronese design

Goddess Tyche Greek: Τύχη, Fortuna) was the presiding tutelary deity who governed the fortune and prosperity of a city, its destiny. In Classical Greek mythology, she is the daughter of Aphrodite and Zeus or Hermes. The Greek historian Polybius believed that when no cause can be discovered to events such as floods, droughts, frosts, or even in politics, then the cause of these events may be fairly attributed to Tyche.

Increasingly during the Hellenistic period, cities venerated their own Tychai, specific iconic versions of the original Tyche. This practice was continued in the iconography of Roman art.  Even into the Christian period, often as sets of the greatest cities of the empire. Tyche, in Greek religion, the goddess of chance, with whom the Roman Fortuna was later identified; a capricious dispenser of good and ill fortune. The Greek poet Hesiod called her the daughter of the Titan Oceanus and his consort Tethys; other writers attributed her fatherhood to Zeus, the supreme god.

She was also associated with the more beneficent Agathos Daimon, a good spirit, protective of individuals and families.  And with Nemesis, who, as an abstraction, represented punishment of overprosperous man and so was believed to act as a moderating influence. She was often shown winged, wearing a crown, and bearing a sceptre and cornucopia; but she also appeared blindfolded and with various devices signifying uncertainty and risk. Among her monuments was a temple at Argos.  Where the legendary Palamedes is said to have dedicated to her the first set of dice, which he is supposed to have invented.

Depictions

Tyche appears on many coins of the Hellenistic period in the three centuries before the Christian era, especially from cities in the Aegean. Unpredictable turns of fortune drive the complicated plotlines of Hellenistic romances, such as, Leucippe and Clitophon or Daphnis and Chloe.

In Greco-Roman and medieval art Tyche was depicted as wearing a mural crown, and carrying a cornucopia (horn of plenty).  An emblematic gubernaculum (ship’s rudder), and the wheel of fortune, or she may stand on the wheel, presiding over the entire circle of fate.   The constellation of Virgo is sometimes identified as the heavenly figure of Tyche.  As well as other goddesses such as Demeter and Astraea.

Quality: .Made of cast copper resin, which allows greater detail and a nice weight. All Veronese figurines are beautifully packaged, have great detail and are great collectible gifts.