Protection/Diverter Powers (Laru)

(December 6, 2024) Laru is an Akkadian word meaning "diverters." They were most commonly used by the Romans as household protection spirits to divert away evil powers.

Larium (Lares Shrine) Preserved At Herculaneum

The Lares household protection spiritus would be placed behind these doors in their own little temple. Laru is an Akkadian word meaning "diverters" so these spiritual powers were thought to divert evil influences away from the family.

Reference

Minerva Magazine (April 16, 2023) Wooden wonders of Herculaneum. Issue 201. Online at: https://the-past.com/feature/wooden-wonders-of-herculaneum/ Original picture source at: https://www.classicult.it/materia-il-legno-che-non-brucio-ad-ercolano/

Another Larium Preserved At Herculaneum

This one would have the Lares figurines out in the open.

Reference

Minerva Magazine (April 16, 2023) Wooden wonders of Herculaneum. Issue 201. Online at: https://the-past.com/feature/wooden-wonders-of-herculaneum/ Original picture source at: https://www.classicult.it/materia-il-legno-che-non-brucio-ad-ercolano/

Lares Shown on a Fresco in Pompei

This was found in the kitchen of the House of the Vettii in Pompeii. Larium with images are the main evidence for what Lares looked like. They are generally represented as people holding a cornucopia horn (if filled with food) or a Rhyton horn (if filled with wine). Both indicate food prosperity. Horns are associated with the Druid goddess Ayu (Thus, Diana (Greek Artemis), the Roman equivalent to Ayu may be in the center). Snakes represent the power of life and death.
Photo by Roger Ulrich (1979). Shared online at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/roger_ulrich/7410769502/in/photostream

Lar with Cornucopia

Lar found in Axatiana (now Lora del Rio) in Roman Spain. It dates to early 100's CE. It is now at the National Archaeological Museum of Spain.
Photo from Wikimedia commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lar_romano_de_bronce_(M.A.N._Inv.2943)_01.jpg