ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Di Penates

Okay kiddo, do you know what a house is? It's where we live, right? Well, Penates are a type of ancient Roman god that were believed to protect people's homes and all the things inside them. They were sort of like spirits that looked after everything inside the house to make sure it was safe and happy.

The name Penates comes from a Latin word that means "household gods." A long time ago, people in ancient Rome believed in many different gods and goddesses who they thought had powers over different parts of their lives. The Penates were considered very important because they were responsible for keeping the home safe and making sure everything in it was okay.

Sometimes, people who believed in the Penates would put up small statues or pictures of the gods in their homes to show their respect and belief in them. They would also offer them small gifts or sacrifices to make sure they stayed happy and kept their homes protected.

So, in simple terms, the Penates were like little house spirits that ancient Romans believed protect their home and belongings.