The Lares were the household divinities who presided over the interests of
private families. Their worship is supposed to have {157} arisen from the
ancient custom among the Romans and other nations, of burying their dead
within their houses, and the belief that the spirits of the departed
continually hovered over their former dwellings, for the protection of the
inhabitants. Their statues were placed in a niche behind the doors of the
houses, or around the hearths; while at their feet was placed a dog
barking, to intimate the watchfulness they exhibited. Their festivals were
observed at Rome in the month of May, when their statues were crowned with
garlands of flowers, and fruit offerings presented to them.
The Penates also closely resembled the Lares, and presided over houses and
the domestic affairs of families. It was at the option of every master of a
family to choose his Penates, and therefore Jupiter and some of the
superior gods, are often invoked as domestic divinities.
They were originally the manes of the dead, but when mankind had been
taught by superstition to pay deep reverence to the statues or images of
their deceased friends, that reverence was soon changed for a more regular
worship, and they were admitted by their votaries to share immortality and
power, with the remainder or the Gods.
The statues of the Penates were generally formed of wax, silver, ivory, or
earthenware, according to the poverty or riches of the worshipper.
When offerings were made to them, their shrines were crowned with garlands,
and besides one day in every month set apart for their homage, their
festivals were celebrated during the Saturnalia.