household+gods

=Cities of Vesuvius =

- Syllabus Content -

Religion: temples, household gods, foreign cults, tombs
See “Private Worship and Observances” pp.159-60

(See Figure 9.10 on p.160 for features of a Lararium and household worship.)
 * What were household gods?
 * What is a lararium?
 * What are the features of a lararium?
 * Where was a lararium situated in the house?

=Household Gods=

These are the things that are commonly found in a household shrine:
 * Lares** - protectors of the household. There are usually depicted as a pair of dancing youths in short tunics with a drinking horn in the shape of an animal's head in one hand and either a wine bucket or a //patera// (dish).
 * Penates** – protectors of the stores
 * Genius** – guardian spirits of the family
 * Bacchus** (the god of wine) and **Mercury** (messenger of the god Jupiter and god of commerce) were also added to some lararia.
 * Snake and altar** – agathodemon (snake) was shown rearing its head or wrapping itself around the altar which was said to bring fertility to the family


 * [[image:Lararium.jpg caption="Lararium - House of the Vettii"]] ||
 * Lararium - House of the Vettii ||


 * Lararia are shrines to the gods of the household, and are found in different shapes and forms in many Pompeian houses, ranging from simple wall-paintings to large and elaborate shrines.
 * The picture above which was found in the House of the Vettii, shows us a shrine in the form of a temple.
 * Columns support a pediment (which is the triangular shape on top of the picture), and frame a central painting.
 * Two dancing //lares// (guardians of the family, who protect the household from external threats) hold raised drinking horns.
 * They are positioned on either side of the //genius// (who represents the spirit of the male head of the household), who is dressed in a toga and making a sacrifice.
 * Beneath them all is a serpent. Snakes are often depicted in //lararia//, and were considered guardian spirits of the family.

Genius (centre) with lares on either side On the left is Bacchus and on the right is Mercury ||= Lararium Peristyle of the **House of the Golden Cupids** ||
 * [[image:Thermopolium_of_L_Vetutius_Placidus.jpg width="342" height="449" align="center"]] || [[image:1372_pompei_casa_degli_amorini_dorati.jpg align="center"]] ||
 * = Lararium
 * Thermopolium of L. Vetutius Placidus**


 * Different types of lararia**


 * A niche found in the walls of poorer homes with figures painted in black
 * //Aedicule// which is a mini temple set on a podium lined with expensive materials such as marble
 * A wall that is made to look like an //aedicule// (but is 2D) with the household gods also painted. (This painting technique is called //trompe l'oeil// ["trick the eye"].)


 * [[image:Herm_of_Caecilius_Jucundus.jpg width="336" height="448" align="right"]]Worships and offerings**
 * Rituals performed by the paterfamilias (the head of the family) who was the chief priest
 * Regular daily offerings and monthly celebrations were carried out, using an offering of wreath, portions of a meal (eg. Fruits and eggs) and crumbs left on the floor
 * Sometimes on a special occasion a lamb was also sacrificed

Right is a **herm** of L. Caecilius Jucundus. Inscribed on the herm is: "To the genius of our Lucius. Felix, freedman (set this up)".