What were the Lares?
LA-ri — stress on first syllable. 'Lari' is the plural of 'Lare'.
Ask when you see small shrines (lararia) inside Roman houses. Shows intellectual curiosity about Roman religion. Found in most Pompeian houses — the domestic religion of Rome is a fascinating and often overlooked topic.
The Lares were Roman household gods — protective spirits of the home and family. Every Roman household had a 'lararium' (shrine) where daily offerings were made. The paterfamilias led family prayers each morning. This domestic religion was completely separate from the public state religion of the great temples.
Questo è un larario?
Is this a lararium?
Identifying the household shrine in a Roman house.
Come si svolgevano i rituali domestici romani?
How were Roman domestic rituals performed?
Opens discussion of daily religious practice.
I Romani erano molto religiosi?
Were the Romans very religious?
Opens a nuanced conversation about Roman religious practice.
The comparison between Roman household Lares and Catholic saints is a common observation made by Italian guides — and not without historical basis. The Catholic practice of household sacred images and individual patron saints shows clear continuity with Roman domestic religion.