Lares

Guardians of Home and Family

The Lares were Roman protective spirits connected with homes, families and particular places. There was not just one Lar. Romans talked about different groups of Lares who could protect a household, farm, crossroads, neighbourhood or even travellers. Household Lares were especially important because Roman religion was not something that happened only inside enormous temples. A family could have a little shrine called a lararium right inside the house. Archaeologists have found many of these shrines in places such as Pompeii. Some were painted niches in a wall, while others held small figures.

The household Lares were often shown as two lively young men holding drinking horns or bowls. Families might offer them incense, wine, garlands or a little food, especially during important events such as birthdays, weddings, departures and safe returns. Paintings sometimes show the Lares standing beside another figure called the Genius, who represented the continuing life of the household. A snake might appear below them near an altar. It looks slightly alarming to us, but the snake was usually a protective symbol rather than a monster that had somehow sneaked into the kitchen!

Other Lares protected wider communities. The Lares Compitales watched over crossroads and neighbourhoods, where little shrines stood where streets met. Their festival, the Compitalia, brought neighbours together for offerings and games. Under Emperor Augustus, these local traditions were reorganised and shrines also honoured the Lares Augusti. Lares are often confused with the Penates, but they were not exactly the same. The Lares protected the household and its place, while the Penates were especially connected with food supplies and the family’s continuing welfare. I think the Lares give us one of the nicest glimpses of ordinary Roman life. A huge statue of Jupiter might seem distant, but a tiny shrine beside the place where dinner was prepared made religion part of everyday family life.

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