Lăres

, gods of inferior power at Rome, who presided over houses and families. They were two in number, sons of Mercury by Lara. See: Lara . In proce of time their power was extended not only over houses, but also over the country and the sea, and we find Lares Urbani to preside over the cities, Familiares over houses, Rustici over the country, Comp i tales over cro -roads, Marini over the sea, Viales over the roads, Patellar i i , . According to the opinion of some, the worship of the gods Lares, who are supposed to be the same as the manes, arises from the ancient custom among the Romans and other nations of burying their dead in their houses, and from their belief that their spirits continually hovered over their houses, for the protection of the inhabitants. The statues of the Lares resembling monkeys, and covered with the skin of a dog, were placed in a niche behind the doors of the houses, or around the hearths. At the feet of the Lares was the figure of a dog barking, to intimate their care and vigilance. Incense was burnt on their altars, and a sow was also offered on particular days. Their festivals were observed at Rome in the month of May, when their statues were crowned with garlands of flowers, and offerings of fruit presented. The word Lares seems to be derived from the Etruscan word Lars , which signifies conductor, or leader. Ovid , Fasti , bk. 5 , li. 129 .— Juvenal , satire 8, li. 8 .— Plutarch , Quæstiones Romanæ .— Varro , de Lingua Latina , bk. 4 , ch. 10 .— Horace , bk. 3 , ode 23.— Plautus , Aulularia & Cis tellar i a .