Roman lar
Roman Lar - the prancing patron gods of Rome
To be protected is a human desire as ancient as mankind itself.
The desire for safety, security and protection from enemies, diseases and forces of nature, lives in all people, regardless of age, gender or social status, today as well as long ago.
Lares - the small gods of the original inhabitants of Italy
In ancient times, Roman lares were small deities who guarded places, such as roads, crossroads and entire cities, but also crops, home and family.
Their origin is not known. Demonstrably they existed from the 5th century BC, in fact much earlier, they were the earth-related gods of the primitive people. Later they moved into the Roman households and from then on it was impossible to imagine life without them. Every family had its personal Roman lares, who participated in family life as if they were members of the family themselves. They never left the house.
Deeply religious and superstitious were the Romans. In every household there were several cult shrines, the lararia, in kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, even gardens. The Roman larar was offered daily small offerings, fruits, and gifts from the table.
- Height of the Lar: about 7cm
- solid brass casting
Roman Lares
The traditions show them singly, but also in pairs in dual, often with the "genius", the "inner principle of action" of the master of the house in the center, which is represented as a white toga over the head of the master. The Roman lares carry in the raised hand a drinking horn (rhyton), in the lowered one the situla (wine bucket), or patera (sacrificial bowl). They are always young men, slender, light-footed and prancing.
Their female partners were the virae. The worship of the Roman lares and penates was banned on November 8, 392 (Codex Theodosianus 16.10.12).
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