Lasas
The Lasas, revered in Etruscan mythology, comprised a group of female deities embodying the roles of hero-ancestors and guardian spirits. These divine beings held significant influence over various aspects of human life and the natural world.
Symbols: Rhyton and patera
Roman Equivalent: Lares
The Etruscans held domestic, ancestral, or family cults that closely resembled the later Roman practices dedicated to their Lares. These cults revolved around venerating and appeasing ancestral spirits believed to oversee, safeguard, and exert influence over the affairs within their designated domains.
Similar to the Roman Lares, the Etruscan ancestral spirits were thought to watch over households, families, and specific locations. They were perceived as benevolent guardians who could intercede on behalf of their descendants, offering protection, guidance, and blessings.
The cults dedicated to these ancestral spirits were deeply ingrained in Etruscan religious practices, with rituals, prayers, and offerings conducted to honor and appease them. Family members would pay homage to their ancestors by maintaining ancestral shrines within their homes or by visiting designated sacred sites associated with their lineage.
