Plutarch's Romane Questions · Plutarch
51.
_What was the reason that the idols_ Lares, _which otherwise properly be called_ Præstites, _had the images of a dogge standing hard by them, and the_ Lares _themselves were portraied clad in dogges skinnes_? IS it because this word _Præstites_ signifieth as much as ωροεστῶτες, that is to say, Presidents, or standing before as keepers: and verily such Presidents ought to be good house-keepers, and terrible unto all strangers, like as a dogge is; but gentle and loving to those of the house. Or rather, that which some of the Romans write is true, like as _Chrysippus_ also the philosopher is of opinion; namely, that there be certeine evill spirits which goe about walking up and downe in the world; and these be the butchers and tormentors that the gods imploy to punish unjust and wicked men: and even so these _Lares_ are held to be maligne spirits, & no better than divels, spying into mens lives, and prying into their families; which is the cause that they now be arraied in such skinnes, and a dogge they have sitting hard by them, whereby thus much in effect is given to understand, that quicke sented they are, and of great power both to hunt out, and also to chastice leud persons.
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