Science: Diggers

The Shrine of Lady Luck. Praeneste, often mentioned by the classical writers, was an ancient religious center 23 miles east of Rome in the Sabine hills. Sacred to the goddess Fortuna, it was the Roman world's bulkiest, solidest shrine. It throve for a thousand years, reaching its peak about the time of Christ, and was the last pagan center to be suppressed by Christianity. When Lady Luck was still lucky, her intricate complex of sacred buildings covered an area a dozen times bigger than St. Peter's.

During the Dark Ages, Fortuna's temples were looted...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!