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The Lares and Penates of Ancient Rome are perhaps the best-known example of household gods, but many others existed. The crocodile-headed Tawaret was a popular element of ancient Egyptian mythology; she was considered to be the protector of women during pregnancy and childbirth. Bes was another popular Egyptian household god, whose duties included killing snakes, protecting children, encouraging fertilityFertility is the ability of people or animals to produce healthy offspring in abundance. The term was usually applied to females, but increasingly is applied to males as well, as common understanding of reproductive mechanisms increases and the importance, and assisting Tawaret in childbirth.

Household deities were usually worshipped not in temples but in the home, where they would be represented by small idolThe term idol (from Latin idolum image, form) is used in various contexts: In religion, man-made worshipped articles are idols; their worship is called idolatry. Popular celebrities are commonly known as idols, especially when "worshipped" by teenagers.s (the teraphim of the BibleThe Bible (From Greek βιβλια biblia meaning "books", which in turn is derived from βυβλος byblos meaning "papyrus", from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported papyrus)), amuletAn amulet from the Black Pullet grimoire An amulet (from Latin amuletum meaning A means of protection) consists of any object intended to bring good luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, dras, paintingThis article is about the painting of a surface for artistic reasons. Painting is also the utilitarian painting of objects and buildings, often done to provide a protective coating or for aesthetic reasons. One possible process for decorative painting ofs or reliefs. They could also be found on domestic objects, such as cosmetic articles in the case of Tawaret. The more prosperous houses might have a small shrineA shrine is a holy or sacred place sometimes dedicated towards a certain god, goddess, saint, or similar religious figure. As distinguished from a temple, a shrine is usually located because it houses a particular relic or cult image which is the object o to the household god(s); the lararium served this purpose in the case of the Romans. The gods would be treated as members of the family and invited to join in meals, or be given offerings of foodSacrifice is the practice of offering food, or the lives of animals or people to the gods, as an act of propitiation or worship. The term is also used metaphorically to describe selfless good deeds for others. Theologies of sacrifice The theology of sacri and drink.