October 6, 2025 • 10 mins
Start your day the Roman way with an offering to this pocket-sized household demigod called a Lar. Follow along with a family’s daily rituals and routines and hear how this Lar protected two young boys from getting into trouble.
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For a listening guide, a coloring sheet, images, and more, visit getty.edu/podcasts/if-objects-could-talk/.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Announcer (00:00):
This is a Getty Podcast.
Host (00:05):
Do you ever have trouble getting going in the morning?
Well today we're gettingready with a pocket-sized
Roman demigod called a Lar.
Welcome to If Objects CouldTalk, a podcast where art
and artifacts that get toleave the museum vault and
tell their side of the story.
Thanks for joining us as webring objects into the light!
(00:31):
How do you liketo start your day?
You probably get up,get dressed, and have
a little breakfast.
Maybe you pack up yourbackpack and get on the road!
Well in ancient Rome, morningsincluded another important
step—praying to a smalldeity or god, called a Lar.
Lares were householdgods responsible for
(00:54):
keeping a family safe.
Families would place theirLar statuettes in small home
shrines and gather there eachday to pray for protection.
Today’s guest is one such Lar.
He is a little bronze manwith intricate details, made
over two thousand years ago.
Don’t let his size foolyou—he’s pretty powerful
(01:17):
when he needs to be!
Lar (01:19):
Uh, just a moment I can't seem to find
my ...oh where is it?!
Oh [taps microphone] are we on?
No warning or anything, wejust get straight to it?
Fine, fine, I don't mindthe element of surprise.
You’ve got to be preparedfor anything when your
(01:39):
job is protecting a familygeneration after generation.
Ok, well was your job...I’vebeen retired for some time
now, but it's important foryou to know that, one: I was a
pretty big deal in my heyday.
And two (01:55):
I am still tired from watching over the Julius
Family—no, not that Julius.
Totally unrelated.
Right.
I’d like to get the particularsout of the way first so I
can get to the good stuff.
I am about two thousandyears old and I come
(02:15):
from the Roman Empire.
I’m a little over fiveinches tall, about the
length of a candy bar youwould find in a mercatus.
Oh, I’m sorry, I think you allmight call it a “grocery store?”
I am made of bronze.
My arms are outstretched asif I am about to receive a hug
from a grateful family member!
(02:35):
In my right hand I carry a smalloffering bowl called a patera.
In my left arm there shouldbe a cornucopia, a symbol
of prosperity and abundance,but it’s gone missing and
I can’t find it anywhere!
Originally, my eyes were inlaidwith a contrasting material,
like stone or glass, butthey too have gone missing.
(03:00):
I’m sensing a pattern here.
Where is my cornucopiaand where are my eyeballs?
Anyway, should wediscuss fashion?
Of course, I do thinkwhat I’m wearing is rather
timeless and says thatI’m a minor god on the go!
(03:20):
On my head I have a wreath tiedloosely and the ribbons fall
gracefully over my shoulders.
I’ve got on a short, beltedtunic with incredible folds,
a cloak draped over oneshoulder and secured in my
belt, and open-toed boots.
My tunic and cloakmake me feel like me.
(03:41):
I'm sure you can relate, right?
What’s your favoritething to wear?
What makes youfeel most like you?
Can you describe itor draw it out for me?
While I do love to checkout what the new fashion
trends are, I always goback to my tunic and cloak.
Besides, I couldn’t pulloff a bucket hat if I tried.
(04:02):
Now, now, I won’t cry.
I must soldier on!
Enough about fashion—let’sdiscuss my work:
protecting my family.
I lived in the home ofa wealthy land owner.
I am not really sure what Mr.Julius did outside of that,
but he was certainly alwaysbusy with the land, the home,
(04:25):
and with his twin 10-year-oldboys, Adrianus and Atticus.
Our home was outside of thecity of Rome and my little
world was the Lararium, orshrine, near the kitchen.
I hear home shrines or alters togods, goddesses, and ancestors
are still common and are usedas sites of daily worship
or for quiet meditation.
(04:46):
Maybe you have one in your houseor have seen one at a friend’s?
Well, every morning, the fatherwould lead a short prayer for
the family at my Lararium beforeeveryone went about their day.
The prayer would expressgratitude to me for
keeping the family goingand they would present me
with a little food frombreakfast and sweet incense.
(05:09):
Most nights I would evenjoin the family for dinner;
I'd sit right on the table.
Even when friends orbusiness acquaintances would
come over to dine, I wasalways the most delightful
and well-dressed guest!
At the end of their morningritual they'd ask me to
watch over them as theywent about their day.
“Lar help us!” is how they wouldend their prayer and I really
(05:30):
would try, but with two ofthe most mischievous twin boys
ever, I had more than my fairshare of work cut out for me.
Like some boys of means,Adrianus and Atticus had
private tutors who taughtsubjects like mathematics,
poetry, history, and literature.
(05:52):
They would wake up in themorning, remove their long
night tunics and put on theirshorter tunics for the day.
They would brush theirteeth with frayed sticks
and a toothpaste made offinely powdered eggshells.
They would gather for theirprayers to me with the rest
of the family and then grabsomething to eat before it was
time for their daily lessons.
These often includedfield trips to sacred
(06:15):
sites or the marketplace.
But the twins had aknack for slipping away,
making the tutors’ jobsdifficult—and mine, too!
Sure, it was my duty tolook after them, but why
did they have to make itharder by running off!
You see, Adrianus and Atticuspreferred the school of life
to math lessons and would oftenspend their day chasing hares,
(06:39):
climbing trees, and daydreamingabout sailing around the world.
One afternoon, the boyswere sitting in a tree
enjoying a fine springbreeze, when they heard a
booming voice down below.
It was their father!
He was out for a walk witha neighbor and if he looked
up he was sure to see them!
They had been caughtskipping lessons once
(07:00):
before and certainly didn’twant to get caught again.
Atticus closed his eyes andcalled out to yours truly:
[whispers] “Lar help us!”
Well I immediately sprang intoaction, leaping from my tidy
Laraium, but I tripped and fell!
Lucky for me that I am madeof bronze, a strong and
(07:21):
forever fashionable metal!
Now, you’re probably thinkingif I am a statue from the
Roman Empire, shouldn’tI be made of marble?
Common misconception!
There were as many bronzesculptures as marble
sculptures back then!
But, tragically, many bronzesculptures were melted
down and re-purposed—anissue that persists today!
(07:45):
I wonder if that's whathappened to my tiny cornucopia?
Could a tiny bronzethief be on the loose?!
I’m sorry, I’m gettingdistracted again.
Where was I?
Oh yes, I was running!
I found Adrianus and Atticusjust as their father was
dangerously close to lookingup to admire the tree’s fruit.
(08:06):
I knew I needed a quickdistraction and a way
to complicate theirfather’s journey home.
I began to call his name softly
and then louder
and louder.
He looked all around andfinally walked towards the
(08:29):
road, just certain anotherneighbor was calling out to him.
With their father’s back to thetree, Adrianus quickly climbed
down and Atticus followed.
Then I began to rustle thegrass in front of their father,
so that he would look down.
When he did, Adrianusand Atticus ran!
(08:49):
The boys made it home andimmediately lit incense
at my feet in thanks,which I appreciated.
When their father camehome and saw the boys at
my altar, he simply admiredhow dedicated they were
to tradition and to home.
[Laughs] Little did he know!
Well, those boys are luckythat although I am but a
(09:09):
small home-based deity, mypower and protection extended
within the boundaries ofthe land their father owned.
If they'd been any furtherout they would have to pray
to the sea and the sky!
So like I said, I wasa pretty big deal!
Oh, are these flowers for me?
Host (09:31):
Yes.
Lar (09:32):
They look just like the garlands of flowers I used
to get for Compitalia, theannual festival of the Lares!
I can’t wait to decoratethe museum vault with these.
The next time you hear fromme, I’ll tell you what happened
at my first Compitalia.
Host (09:52):
I hope you enjoyed learning about Lares and daily
routines in Ancient Rome.
Join us next week whena water jug shares some
water cooler gossip.
To see photographs of thestatuette and learn more,
visit our website at Gettydot edu slash podcasts.
(10:13):
This episode was writtenby Tocarra Elise and
produced by Zoe Goldman.
Timmy Morgan voiced the Lar.
Theme music, mixing and sounddesign by Alexandra Kalinowski.
Christopher Sprinkleis executive producer.
Special thanks to curatorsKen Lapatin, Judith
Barr, and Hana Sugioka.
(10:33):
Catch you next time!
This is a Getty Podcast.
Host (00:05):
Do you ever have trouble getting going in the morning?
Well today we're gettingready with a pocket-sized
Roman demigod called a Lar.
Welcome to If Objects CouldTalk, a podcast where art
and artifacts that get toleave the museum vault and
tell their side of the story.
Thanks for joining us as webring objects into the light!
(00:31):
How do you liketo start your day?
You probably get up,get dressed, and have
a little breakfast.
Maybe you pack up yourbackpack and get on the road!
Well in ancient Rome, morningsincluded another important
step—praying to a smalldeity or god, called a Lar.
Lares were householdgods responsible for
(00:54):
keeping a family safe.
Families would place theirLar statuettes in small home
shrines and gather there eachday to pray for protection.
Today’s guest is one such Lar.
He is a little bronze manwith intricate details, made
over two thousand years ago.
Don’t let his size foolyou—he’s pretty powerful
(01:17):
when he needs to be!
Lar (01:19):
Uh, just a moment I can't seem to find
my ...oh where is it?!
Oh [taps microphone] are we on?
No warning or anything, wejust get straight to it?
Fine, fine, I don't mindthe element of surprise.
You’ve got to be preparedfor anything when your
(01:39):
job is protecting a familygeneration after generation.
Ok, well was your job...I’vebeen retired for some time
now, but it's important foryou to know that, one: I was a
pretty big deal in my heyday.
And two (01:55):
I am still tired from watching over the Julius
Family—no, not that Julius.
Totally unrelated.
Right.
I’d like to get the particularsout of the way first so I
can get to the good stuff.
I am about two thousandyears old and I come
(02:15):
from the Roman Empire.
I’m a little over fiveinches tall, about the
length of a candy bar youwould find in a mercatus.
Oh, I’m sorry, I think you allmight call it a “grocery store?”
I am made of bronze.
My arms are outstretched asif I am about to receive a hug
from a grateful family member!
(02:35):
In my right hand I carry a smalloffering bowl called a patera.
In my left arm there shouldbe a cornucopia, a symbol
of prosperity and abundance,but it’s gone missing and
I can’t find it anywhere!
Originally, my eyes were inlaidwith a contrasting material,
like stone or glass, butthey too have gone missing.
(03:00):
I’m sensing a pattern here.
Where is my cornucopiaand where are my eyeballs?
Anyway, should wediscuss fashion?
Of course, I do thinkwhat I’m wearing is rather
timeless and says thatI’m a minor god on the go!
(03:20):
On my head I have a wreath tiedloosely and the ribbons fall
gracefully over my shoulders.
I’ve got on a short, beltedtunic with incredible folds,
a cloak draped over oneshoulder and secured in my
belt, and open-toed boots.
My tunic and cloakmake me feel like me.
(03:41):
I'm sure you can relate, right?
What’s your favoritething to wear?
What makes youfeel most like you?
Can you describe itor draw it out for me?
While I do love to checkout what the new fashion
trends are, I always goback to my tunic and cloak.
Besides, I couldn’t pulloff a bucket hat if I tried.
(04:02):
Now, now, I won’t cry.
I must soldier on!
Enough about fashion—let’sdiscuss my work:
protecting my family.
I lived in the home ofa wealthy land owner.
I am not really sure what Mr.Julius did outside of that,
but he was certainly alwaysbusy with the land, the home,
(04:25):
and with his twin 10-year-oldboys, Adrianus and Atticus.
Our home was outside of thecity of Rome and my little
world was the Lararium, orshrine, near the kitchen.
I hear home shrines or alters togods, goddesses, and ancestors
are still common and are usedas sites of daily worship
or for quiet meditation.
(04:46):
Maybe you have one in your houseor have seen one at a friend’s?
Well, every morning, the fatherwould lead a short prayer for
the family at my Lararium beforeeveryone went about their day.
The prayer would expressgratitude to me for
keeping the family goingand they would present me
with a little food frombreakfast and sweet incense.
(05:09):
Most nights I would evenjoin the family for dinner;
I'd sit right on the table.
Even when friends orbusiness acquaintances would
come over to dine, I wasalways the most delightful
and well-dressed guest!
At the end of their morningritual they'd ask me to
watch over them as theywent about their day.
“Lar help us!” is how they wouldend their prayer and I really
(05:30):
would try, but with two ofthe most mischievous twin boys
ever, I had more than my fairshare of work cut out for me.
Like some boys of means,Adrianus and Atticus had
private tutors who taughtsubjects like mathematics,
poetry, history, and literature.
(05:52):
They would wake up in themorning, remove their long
night tunics and put on theirshorter tunics for the day.
They would brush theirteeth with frayed sticks
and a toothpaste made offinely powdered eggshells.
They would gather for theirprayers to me with the rest
of the family and then grabsomething to eat before it was
time for their daily lessons.
These often includedfield trips to sacred
(06:15):
sites or the marketplace.
But the twins had aknack for slipping away,
making the tutors’ jobsdifficult—and mine, too!
Sure, it was my duty tolook after them, but why
did they have to make itharder by running off!
You see, Adrianus and Atticuspreferred the school of life
to math lessons and would oftenspend their day chasing hares,
(06:39):
climbing trees, and daydreamingabout sailing around the world.
One afternoon, the boyswere sitting in a tree
enjoying a fine springbreeze, when they heard a
booming voice down below.
It was their father!
He was out for a walk witha neighbor and if he looked
up he was sure to see them!
They had been caughtskipping lessons once
(07:00):
before and certainly didn’twant to get caught again.
Atticus closed his eyes andcalled out to yours truly:
[whispers] “Lar help us!”
Well I immediately sprang intoaction, leaping from my tidy
Laraium, but I tripped and fell!
Lucky for me that I am madeof bronze, a strong and
(07:21):
forever fashionable metal!
Now, you’re probably thinkingif I am a statue from the
Roman Empire, shouldn’tI be made of marble?
Common misconception!
There were as many bronzesculptures as marble
sculptures back then!
But, tragically, many bronzesculptures were melted
down and re-purposed—anissue that persists today!
(07:45):
I wonder if that's whathappened to my tiny cornucopia?
Could a tiny bronzethief be on the loose?!
I’m sorry, I’m gettingdistracted again.
Where was I?
Oh yes, I was running!
I found Adrianus and Atticusjust as their father was
dangerously close to lookingup to admire the tree’s fruit.
(08:06):
I knew I needed a quickdistraction and a way
to complicate theirfather’s journey home.
I began to call his name softly
and then louder
and louder.
He looked all around andfinally walked towards the
(08:29):
road, just certain anotherneighbor was calling out to him.
With their father’s back to thetree, Adrianus quickly climbed
down and Atticus followed.
Then I began to rustle thegrass in front of their father,
so that he would look down.
When he did, Adrianusand Atticus ran!
(08:49):
The boys made it home andimmediately lit incense
at my feet in thanks,which I appreciated.
When their father camehome and saw the boys at
my altar, he simply admiredhow dedicated they were
to tradition and to home.
[Laughs] Little did he know!
Well, those boys are luckythat although I am but a
(09:09):
small home-based deity, mypower and protection extended
within the boundaries ofthe land their father owned.
If they'd been any furtherout they would have to pray
to the sea and the sky!
So like I said, I wasa pretty big deal!
Oh, are these flowers for me?
Host (09:31):
Yes.
Lar (09:32):
They look just like the garlands of flowers I used
to get for Compitalia, theannual festival of the Lares!
I can’t wait to decoratethe museum vault with these.
The next time you hear fromme, I’ll tell you what happened
at my first Compitalia.
Host (09:52):
I hope you enjoyed learning about Lares and daily
routines in Ancient Rome.
Join us next week whena water jug shares some
water cooler gossip.
To see photographs of thestatuette and learn more,
visit our website at Gettydot edu slash podcasts.
(10:13):
This episode was writtenby Tocarra Elise and
produced by Zoe Goldman.
Timmy Morgan voiced the Lar.
Theme music, mixing and sounddesign by Alexandra Kalinowski.
Christopher Sprinkleis executive producer.
Special thanks to curatorsKen Lapatin, Judith
Barr, and Hana Sugioka.
(10:33):
Catch you next time!
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