The Significance of Lares and Related Cults in Roman Religion
The Lares
In ancient Roman tradition, Lares were good spirits associated with the deceased, believed to continue to bless their descendants even after death. The origin of the Lares worship can be traced back to the practice of housing the dead within homes, a custom that faced prohibition under the Twelve Tables law. Each family revered a specific lar familiaris, their guardian spirit, whose primary role was to ensure the family’s survival. This spirit was typically represented by a figure draped in a toga, positioned between the Penates in a dedicated shrine known as a lararium, located near the family hearth within the atrium.
Daily rituals were performed in front of these spirits, including morning prayers and offerings from family meals, where portions would be laid on the hearth. When the shrine was situated elsewhere in the home, offerings were made at a distinct table before it. Important family events, such as birthdays, weddings, or the coming-of-age of sons, were occasions for special sacrifices to the Lares. These offerings might include garlands, cakes, honey, wine, or even animals like swine as a show of respect and gratitude.
In addition to personal worship within homes, the Lares were also honored in outdoor settings. Chapels at crossways featured two lares compitales (one for each road), celebrated during annual festivals known as Compitalia. Emperor Augustus expanded the reverence for the Lares by incorporating the Genius Augusti and instituted gatherings to commemorate these deities in May and August. Beyond household deities, the Lares represented the entire Roman community, referred to as lares proestites, who were invoked as protectors in myriad endeavors—travel, warfare, and even maritime ventures.
The Vicus and its Role
The term vicus, which originally meant a single home, evolved over time to signify a neighborhood or street within a city or a community of houses in rural areas. Each vicus housed its own religious center, often signified by the compitum, where the lares compitales were honored. This arrangement included annual festivals to dedicated deities, overseen by elected overseers responsible for their welfare and local governance.
Acca Larentia and the Arval Brothers
One prominent figure in Roman mythology closely related to the Lares is Acca Larentia, the wife of the herdsman Faustulus and the nurse of Romulus and Remus. Myths regarding her often depict her as a figure of fertility, with legends stating she had twelve sons whom she sacrificed annually to ensure agricultural prosperity. Her legacy intertwines with the Arval Brothers, a dedicated priesthood believed to originate from her. This group, tasked with worshipping Dea Dia, engaged in elaborate rituals, including a complex festival with hymns invoking the Lares, showcasing their importance in sustaining Roman legacy and agricultural practices.
Gods of the Underworld: Mania and Larvae
In Roman belief, Mania is a goddess associated with the dead, often connected to the Lares. She represented the spirits of the deceased before being classified as the bogy figure with which children were warned. Alongside the Lares, another category was the Larvae, who were considered malevolent spirits of the dead, often linked with restless souls that could inflict madness upon the living, requiring specific rituals to placate their wrath.
The Cultural Impact of Sacra and Public Worship
The multifaceted practices of sacra showcased the Romans’ various rites tied to both personal and state deities. Such rituals could be privata or publica, covering family or community worship, respectively. The domestic worship centered around the Penates and Lares was complemented by larger public rites involving magistrates performing sacrifices on behalf of the populace.
Lasting Legacy
The impact of the Lares and their accompanying rituals has resonated throughout Roman history, illustrating the intricate relationship between the living and their honored ancestors. Their presence underscored the significant Roman belief in lineage, protection, and the continuity of life, even in death. As family and community guardians, the Lares epitomized the spirit of Roman culture, embodying the values of loyalty, remembrance, and respect for one’s heritage.
