lararium

The Lararium - The sacred place of the Romans

The Lararium was the sacred place where the Romans worshipped their ancestors and their patron gods. It was an important part of everyday Roman life and can be found in many Roman houses and temples.

The lararium was the sacred altar on which the Romans made offerings to their patron gods and ancestors. It was an important part of everyday Roman life and could be found in almost every house and temple. In Pompeii there are numerous examples of lararia built in various shapes and sizes. The room was often decorated with frescoes, statues and other religious objects to honour the gods and ancestors.

The Lar and the Penates - patrons of the family

The Lar and the Penates were the patrons of the Roman family. They were called geniuses and were responsible for protecting the family's happiness and prosperity. The Lar and Penates were often worshipped in the Lararium and honoured with sacrifices. It was a tradition that the women of the family were responsible for the protection and welfare of the family and maintained the Lararium.

The Roman gods - worship and sacrifice

The Roman gods played an important role in the daily lives of the Romans. They were often honoured with offerings and worshipped in temples and public places. The gods were often depicted in statues and frescoes and worshipped by priests and priestesses. The lararium was an important place where the Romans made offerings to their patron gods and ancestors, asking for their protection and prosperity.