Lares

• Citations for source (s) of myth

The Lares ( Lares Latin; singular Lar ) are in the Roman religion, the protective gods or guardian spirits of particular places and families.

The Lares familiares were together with the Penates, the guardian spirits of the family and symbolized the budget. They were identified with the deified souls of the deceased ancestors. They were worshiped in all family events and accompanied the family when they moved away. The cult probably goes back to prehistoric burials house. The comic poet Plautus can be a Laren as follows characterize themselves: "I am the Lar familiaris of the house, from the look you have contact me. This house I own and cherish for many years, even for the father and grandfather of one who now lives there. " He continues that he would be worshiped by the daughter of the house and receive offerings of her daily.

The Lares loci, however, were the guardian spirits of a particular place. In Lararium the Lares Loci the point where a house had been built, represented by one or several snakes and were honored. Lares Loci were stationary, that is, they are not subjected to the residents of a house.

Lares Publici were the guardian spirits of entire villages. In central Italy they were called in the cities also Compitales Lares, in the villages of Lares Paganales. Laren was also guardian spirits of public squares and crossroads that were not dangerous according to popular belief. In ancient Rome, there were at every intersection a shrine which was consecrated them. This task was taken over by the Way of the Cross ' clubs.

Laren were male and very virile. Their female partners were the Virae. The worship of the Lares and Penates was banned on November 8, 392 ( Theodosian Code 16:10:12 ).

The Lar is published in 1895 the book of poems Lares the title of a novel by Wilhelm Raabe from the year 1889. Rainer Maria Rilke.