Native Penates - is that? The meaning of the word "penates"

Initially, penates are pre-Roman deities guarding the house, or rather guarding the family's provisions, because penus is translated as a "pantry", and many assume that the name of the celestial guardians was derived from this word. Later, in Roman mythology, a cult of the Penates already appeared, to which all patrons of the house belong. Usually, two Penates were guarding the ancient Roman family. So deified the ancestors.

Etymology of the word

As in most cases, there is no exact interpretation of the origin of the term. Cicero allowed the formation of a name from the word penitus - living inside. Therefore, Roman poets, unlike Russians, who also had this term incredibly popular, but in a different way, often called these deities Penetrales, or "penetrating". Penates are house deities that are part of the retinue of the goddess Vesta, the keeper of the hearth. According to legend, the second king of Rome Numa Pompilius built the first temple of the goddess Vesta in the city . The innermost central part of it is called Pen (from the penetralia - the internal secret compartment of the house or temple). It maintained eternal fire, and the state Penates were kept. It is quite acceptable theory about the origin of the name of the gods from the heart of the temple of Vesta.

Guardians of the Empire

One way or another, but in ancient Rome, Penates are not only domestic idols, but also guardians of the state and the entire Roman people. In the Latin version this thought was as follows: Penates Publici Populi Romani.

The history of the state Penates in ancient Rome is not known for certain. The uninitiated knew very little about them, their storage was shrouded in mystery. It was believed that they had brought Aeneas from Troy. And what they represented themselves, knew only priests and vestalks - ministers of the cult of Vesta. But it was believed that the state Penates are the most important shrines of Rome. They guarded the empire and served as a guarantee of the prosperity and peace of the whole people.

Lovely, native, homely ...

But even at home level the house-gods were loved and revered. Clay and their wooden images were stored in a separate locker, located near the hearth. It has already been noted that the cult of the Penates was identified with the deification of ancestors. Home guardians who care for the welfare of the family, they were deceased parents or simply made idols, all united under the clear name "native Penates". And for all generations it was natural and desirable to return to them, no matter how far the person was. The home, the shelter, the hearth have always been the guiding star for the majority of people on the path of life.

Change the meaning of the term

Gradually, what was dear in the father's house, what kept and protected the person from childhood, replaced the image of the family hearth. And the expression "native penates" ceased to personify the guardian gods. It has become synonymous with home. And not everyone would understand the situation correctly, if they showed him a figure-charm and called it Penat. It would be necessary to tell the prehistory. Now there is a real estate agency called "Native Penates." Well, of course, the authors of the name meant cozy apartments, capable of becoming a stepfather's house, rather than some kind of gods. Penate guardians belong to a different time, different culture. But through the years passed all that warm and native that is related to the hearth near which the family was going to be, where it was cozy and secure, because you were guarded by domestic gods. As told on his deathbed Mtsyri: "... And I remembered our father's house, before the evening hearth stories are long about how people lived in the old days ..." All this - close and beloved, connected with the place of birth and happy childhood, implies the phrase "native Penates".

The idea of the patrimonial nest

There is nothing surprising in that the brilliant Russian artist, the representative of the realistic school of painting, Ilya Efimovich Repin, having conceived the idea of building a homestead that would become a patrimonial nest, named it the name of the Roman gods-keepers and depicted their figures on the gate of the estate. In 1899, being already a famous painter, I. Repin buys 50 km from St. Petersburg a plot of land, builds a house and carefully landscapes. The choice fell on the village of Kuokkala because since 1898 Ilya Yefimovich Repin held the post of rector of the Academy, he had a lot of duties. Getting from the village to the place of service was quite convenient due to the railway branch, and the place itself was secluded and quiet.

Deserved name

Everything turned out as planned: shelter, where you always want to return, where there are many loving relatives and friends, where you always have success. Shortly after the foundation of the family, the owner received the title of professor and head of the workshop at the Academy of Arts. The estate of Repin "Penates" fully justified its name. 30 happy years lived here a great painter. It was a real house of the artist, he loved every corner here, and every corner had its own name. I. Repin lived here until his death, which happened on September 29, 1930. He was 86 years old. According to his request, he was buried here, in the estate, next to the house and Chugueva Hill. The village of Kuokkala was renamed Repino, and now there is a museum known to every Russian "Penates", which was founded in 1940.

Modesty and democracy of manners of manors

Unfortunately, during the war the house burned out completely, the whole estate suffered. There remained an oak planted right after the funeral. After the war the estate was completely restored, and the new museum was opened in 1964. Now it is a federal architectural monument. About him you can talk for a very long time. All the most famous and best people of that time visited the estate of the artist. I took Repin on Wednesdays, the rest of the days he worked. Repin's surroundings were known to both capitals, guests came to the estate after 3 hours. Repin was a unique man, and his estate "Penates" is unique. Its territory had its own laws. The artist did not keep servants in principle, and two women who helped around the house lived here on an equal footing with the owners, ate all at the same table. Serving someone was strictly forbidden. For those who violated the established procedure, punishment was provided in the form of a public statement condemning their actions.

Attractiveness of Repin media

These democratic relations, without barbarity, made Repin's "Penates" especially attractive. The atmosphere was very pleasant. The simplicity and modesty of the master, who was not at all keen on the merits and position of the idol of his time, the lack of pretentiousness in the situation, all contributed to the establishment of friendly relations between the owners and guests of the estate. It should be noted that while being impressed by the speeches of A. N. Beketov and Leo Tolstoy, who were here as guests, about the feeding of frenzied food, the estate was dominated by vegetarianism. Much of the situation was done according to the sketches of the artist. So the table for the guests was two-tiered and rotating. At the first tier dishes were set, and each of the guests by turning the handle could bring to the desired food. Only in 1918, when there was tension with food, the table began to serve the usual food. At the same time, the border with Finland closed, the "Penates" became for Repin himself and many Russians in this country a piece of the homeland. Bequeathed to his legendary estate by the artist's native Academy. Thanks to the great painter, the name of his estate has found its own life. When the word "Penates" is said or written in inverted commas and with a capital letter, it becomes clear that it is the Ilya Repin estate.

Now the museum-manor, located at: 197738, St. Petersburg, Repino settlement, Primorskoe shosse, 411 - receives visitors daily, except Monday and Tuesday, from 10 am. The service is only excursion.