Religion permeated family life, and each Roman household maintained an undying fire in its hearth to ensure the family's continuity.  Above each hearth were placed statuettes of Lares, the outdoor spirits who guarded fields and buildings.  Originally, images of the Lares were painted inside small family shrines, but wealthy citizens began to commission small sculptures of these deities.

        The swinging skirts reflect the dynamic style of Hellenism, and the posture is reminiscent of modern ballet dancers, gracefully poised on the balls of the feet.  Museo Nazionale, Naples.