Summer solstice- celebrating Fortuna and Vesta

In ancient Rome, Fors Fortuna was a goddess associated with luck, chance, and fate. She was also known as Fortuna, and was often depicted with a cornucopia (symbolizing abundance) and a rudder (representing control of destiny). Her festival on June 24th was a significant event, particularly for ordinary citizens.

and it was also a time when the Vestalia, a festival dedicated to Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, was celebrated. Married women were allowed to enter the temple of the Vestal Virgins during this time, a rare exception to the usual rules.
The summer solstice was a significant event, marking the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. In ancient Rome, the day was seen as the middle of summer, according to Marcus Terentius Varro.
The celebrations for the summer solstice in Rome also involved warding off evil spirits, with traditions including wearing protective garlands of herbs and flowers and using herbs like St. John's Wort. Additionally, bonfires were a common tradition, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.

Trajan AR denarius, 116 AD.

Obv: IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC, laureate, draped bust right.
Rev: PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P SPQR - Fortuna seated left,
holding rudder and cornucopiae. FORT RED in ex.

RIC II, 315; RSC 150; BMCRE 634; Sear 3139 var

17 mm, 2,80 g





Vespasian Denarius, Rome 72-73 AD. RIC 360, (RIC [1962] 50), RSC 574, BMC 71 SEAR 2316. 18mm, 3.19g.
IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII, laureate head right / VES-TA to either side of Vesta standing left, holding simpulum & scepter.