Early Roman religion and mythology was based on the welfare of home and family, with the focus on the hearth. Vesta was the goddess of the hearth and was worshipped in every household. At first, the women of the family had the job of taking care of the hearth, but as Roman culture advanced, the focus moved away from the family. Instead, women called Vestal Virgins guarded the fires at the Temple of Vesta.
Every Roman family, especially people living in rural areas, worshipped the Lares. The Lares were the spirits of the dead ancestors. The family would visit a household shrine, the lararium, every morning to offer gifts of flowers or incense. The father would lead the prayer in the shrine. Inside the lararium, which was very similar to a cupboard, little statues of the Lares and other sacred objects.Other gods found in the home were the Penates, spirit of the pantry and Janus, spirit of the door.
