The "lararium" in ancient Rome was a small domestic sanctuary in which offerings and prayers were made to the lares, the protective spirits of deceased ancestors, who watched over the proper functioning of the family and home. It could be located in different spaces of the houses, for example in the atrium (main courtyard of well-to-do Roman dwellings); in the most humble, which did not have it, it could often be placed in the kitchen, near the central fire. There could be more than one larario in the house. Each family worshiped their tutelary gods with offerings and daily rituals. If they were not carried out, they believed that they were exposed to various misfortunes. Family relics were also kept in the larario. The offerings were varied, but mainly flowers to decorate it, wine, incense, cereals, honey, perfumes, fruits, cakes or animal sacrifices. The master of the house dedicates a prayer: "May this home be for us a source of goods, a blessing of happiness and good luck." (Plautus)














