Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Penates

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

PENA'TES. Household gods, who were believed to be the creators and dispensers of all the well-being and gifts of fortune enjoyed by a family, as well as an entire community, which it was the object of the guardian spirits (lares) to protect and preserve. It is not clear whether all, or which of the gods, were venerated as penates; for many are mentioned of both sexes, Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Vesta, Neptune, Apollo, &c.; but every family worshipped one or more of these, whose images were kept in the inner part of the house, the tablinum, situated beyond the atrium. (Cic. N. D. ii. 27. Macrob. Sat. iii. 4. Varro, ap. Arnob. iii. 123. Serv. ad Aen. ii. 296. and 325.) They are represented in various ways on coins and medals; but in the annexed illustration (Penates/1.1), from the Vatican Virigil, which has the name inscribed over them, they appear as old men with their heads veiled, like a priest when officiating at the sacrifice.

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  Penates/1.1