When we think about Roman gods, we often recall the powerful deities from Mount Olympus like Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. But Romans also worshipped a wide range of gods that were very personal to their everyday lives. These household gods were central to Roman families and were worshipped in their homes, not in grand temples. Among these gods, there were three key groups: the Penates, the Lares, and the Genii. In this article, we will focus on the first two groups, the Penates and Lares, and explore how they were represented on Roman coins.
The Role of Household Gods in Roman Life
Romans believed that their household gods protected and cared for their homes, families, and food. These deities were not only important for physical protection but also for maintaining the family’s legacy and prosperity. Household gods were typically worshipped in a special part of the home, called the lararium, a small shrine where the family could make offerings and prayers.
Penates: Guardians of the Kitchen and Food
The Penates were gods who protected the family’s food, especially in the storeroom and kitchen. At first, their role was limited to guarding food supplies, but over time, they came to protect the entire house. The Romans would make offerings to the Penates during meals, often throwing a piece of food into the fire as a token of respect.
- Number of Penates: Every family had two Penates.
- Worshipping the Penates: Families commonly placed their Penates together in the lararium, where they were depicted as cheerful gods, often shown dancing or holding goblets filled with wine to symbolize joy and abundance.
- Temple of the Penates: There was also a special temple in Rome dedicated to the Penates. It was located on the Velia, a hill near the Forum, and featured two young figures holding spears.
| Household God | Role | Worship Location | Depictions | Notable Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penates | Protectors of food and household supplies. | Lararium (shrine) | Depicted as two youthful gods, often dancing or holding goblets of wine. | Depicted on coins from the Republican period, including coins from Parium showing Aeneas’ father Anchises with the family Penates. |
| Lares | Guardians of family, home, and territory. | Lararium (shrine) | Depicted as youthful figures, sometimes with a protective stance or holding items like a spear. | Lares Familiares (family protection), Lares Compitales (neighborhood), Lares Praestites (Rome-wide protection). |
| Lararium | Sacred space for worshipping household gods. | In Roman homes | Small shrines containing statues of the Penates and Lares. | Found in homes across ancient Rome, especially near the kitchen or family space. |
Lares: Protectors of the Home and Family
The Lares were gods who protected not just the household but also its surroundings, including neighborhoods and roads. Like the Penates, the Lares were worshipped in the lararium, but their role was more focused on safeguarding the family’s territory and legacy.
- Types of Lares: There were several types of Lares, each with a specific area of responsibility:
- Lares Familiares: These gods protected the family and ensured the safety of its members.
- Lares Compitales: These gods watched over the neighborhood and crossroads. They were honored in a special festival called the Compitalia.
- Lares Praestites: These were the gods who protected all of Rome, not just individual households.
- Aeneas’ Lar: According to Roman legend, the hero Aeneas brought his family’s Lar from the ancient city of Troy, making it a symbol of both personal and national protection.
The Worship of Penates and Lares in Roman Homes
Both the Penates and the Lares were worshipped together in many Roman households. While the Penates were often associated with food and the kitchen, the Lares were broader protectors of the home and family. In most Roman homes, the lararium would feature statues or small shrines for these gods.
- Placement in the Home: The lararium was typically located in a quiet area of the home, often near the kitchen or the back of the house.
- Family Rituals: Daily life in Rome included simple rituals of prayer and offerings to the Penates and Lares. These gods were not just symbols of protection, but also part of the family’s daily routine and good fortune.
Roman Coins and Household Gods
Roman coins often featured images of the gods, and the Penates and Lares were no exception. Coins with images of these household gods were a way for the Roman people to express their devotion to their protectors. These coins also helped spread the image of the gods across the empire, showing their importance not only in private homes but also in the public sphere.
- Penates on Coins: During the Roman Republic and the Imperial period, coins often depicted the Penates, sometimes with the gods shown dancing or drinking from a cup, symbols of abundance and protection.
- Coins Featuring Aeneas: Some coins even depicted Aeneas, carrying his family’s Penates, highlighting the personal and protective power of these household gods.
Example of Roman Republican Coin
Figure 2a in this article shows a Roman Republican coin that depicts the heads of the two Penates on the front. This was a common motif on coins during the Republican period and was used to show the importance of these gods in the everyday life of Romans. However, this particular depiction was not used during the Imperial period, with a few rare exceptions, such as a coin from Parium, a city in Mysia (modern-day Turkey), which shows Aeneas’ father Anchises holding the family’s Penates.
The Importance of Household Gods to Romans
For the Romans, the household gods were an integral part of daily life. They provided protection, ensured the family’s well-being, and connected the family to the larger Roman identity. By worshipping the Penates and Lares, Romans ensured that their homes, families, and communities were safeguarded from harm. These gods played a significant role in making the everyday life of Romans prosperous and secure.
Conclusion
The Penates and Lares were not just abstract deities; they were gods who actively shaped the daily lives of Roman families. Their protection extended from the food in the kitchen to the streets outside, ensuring safety and prosperity. Whether depicted on coins or worshipped in the lararium, these household gods were central to Roman religious practice and provided a sense of security for the home. Understanding their roles in Roman life gives us a glimpse into the private devotion that defined much of Roman culture.
FAQs
1. What were the Penates in Roman religion?
The Penates were gods who protected the household’s food, especially in the kitchen and storerooms. They became more broadly associated with protecting the whole home. Romans would offer food to them during mealtime, throwing a piece of food into the fire as a gesture of respect.
2. Who were the Lares and what was their role?
The Lares were gods who protected not just the family, but also their home and surrounding areas like the neighborhood and roads. There were different types of Lares:
Lares Familiares: Protect the family.
Lares Compitales: Guard the neighborhood.
3. Where were the Penates and Lares worshipped?
Both the Penates and Lares were worshipped in the lararium, a small household shrine typically found near the kitchen or family areas. This space allowed the Romans to make daily offerings and prayers to their household gods for protection and prosperity.
4. How were the Penates and Lares depicted in Roman art?
On Roman coins and in household shrines, the Penates were often shown as two youthful gods dancing or holding goblets, symbolizing joy and abundance. The Lares were depicted as youthful figures, sometimes with protective gestures or holding items like a spear.
5. Were the Penates and Lares only worshipped in Roman homes?
While the Penates and Lares were central to home worship, they also had larger public temples. For example, there was a temple to the Penates in Rome on the Velia hill, and the Lares Praestites were housed in the Regia, a state building near the Temple of Vesta.