Fortuna

An ambivalent goddess, she can provoke both positive and negative events. The word "fortune" is, in fact, a neutral word; we are the ones who burden it with our hopes, thinking it benevolent. Fortuna is instead capricious and difficult to understand: she can turn her head in disdain to those who humbly worship her, and smile amused on soneone who is openly defying her. For this reason, she's often portrayed as a maiden, balancing on a wheel or on a sphere. Thanks to King Ancus Marcius, the fourth King of Rome, the goddess took to heart the destiny of the Roman people and became their protector. Fortuna favors the bold and encourages daring gestures, therefore she has always smiled upon the Roman people, who surely do not lack the spirit of initiative and courage. Many sacred buildings are dedicated to Fortuna in the city of Rome, and the legions have built temples and shrines all the way to the farthest borders of the Empire. Her greatest sanctuary is located in the ancient city of Praeneste, in Latium, where the goddess also has an oracle.

Fun Fact^TM: "Audax," whence comes bold in "fortune favors the bold," can also be translated as "foolhardy." No self-respecting Roman patrician would consider themselves so, but the rest of us have seen our own or others' plans that should have ended in disaster somehow manage to succeed. Fortuna audentibus favet indeed.
-Merius