Native penates - what's this? Meaning of "penata"

Originally penates are pre-Roman deities,guarding the house, or rather, guarding the food supply of the family, because penus translates as "pantry", and many assume that the name of the heavenly guardians comes from this word. Later in the Roman mythology, the cult of the Penates already appeared, to which all the patrons of the house belong. Usually on guard the Roman family were two Penatov. So deified ancestors.

Etymology of the word

As in most cases, accurate interpretationthe origin of the term is not. Cicero allowed the formation of the name of the word penitus - living inside. Therefore, the Roman poets, unlike the Russian, in whom this term was also incredibly popular, but in a different interpretation, these deities were often called Penetrales, or “penetrating”. Penates are domestic deities included in the retinue of the goddess Vesta, the keeper of the hearth. According to legend, the second king of Rome, Num Pompilius, built the first temple of the goddess Vesta in the city. The secret central part of it is called Pen (from penetralia - the inner secret compartment of a house or temple). The eternal flame was maintained in it, and the state Penates were kept. The theory of the origin of the name of the gods from the heart of the Temple of Vesta is quite admissible.

Empire Keepers

One way or another, but in ancient Rome, Penates are notonly the house gods, but also the guardians of the state and the whole Roman people. In the Latin version, this thought was as follows: Penates Publici Populi Romani.

The history of the emergence of state Penates inAncient Rome is not known for certain. The uninitiated did not know much about them, their possession was shrouded in mystery. It was believed that they were brought by Aeneas from Troy. And what they were, only the priests and the Vestals, servants of the cult of Vesta, knew. But it was believed that the state Penates - these are the main shrines of Rome. They guarded the empire and served as a pledge of the welfare and peace of the whole nation.

Lovely, family, home ...

But at the household level, the home gods were lovedand revered. Their clay and wooden images were kept in a separate locker located at the hearth. It has already been noted that the cult of Penatov was identified with the deification of ancestors. The house keepers, concerned about the well-being of the family, were their dead 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 a person is. Hometown, shelter, hearth has always been for most people a guiding star on the path of life.

Change of term

Gradually, what was expensive in the father’s house,that kept and preserved the person since childhood, replaced the image of the family hearth itself. And the expression "native hearths" has ceased to personify the guardian gods. It has become synonymous with paternal home. And not everyone would understand the situation correctly if they showed him a guardian figure and called it Penat. It would be necessary to tell the background. Now there is a real estate agency called “Native hearths”. Well, of course, the authors of the name meant comfortable apartments that could become stepfather's house, and not some gods. Penate guardians belong to a different time, a different culture. But through the years, all that warm and dear has passed, which is connected with the hearth, near which the family gathered, where it was cozy and safe, because you were guarded by the home gods. As Mtsyri told me on his deathbed: “... And I remembered our father's house, before the evening hearth there were long stories about how people lived in the past days ...” All this - close and loved, related to the place of birth and a happy childhood, implies the phrase “relatives Penates".

The idea of ​​a family nest

No wonder that ingeniousRussian artist, representative of the realistic school of painting Ilya Efimovich Repin, having decided to build an estate that would become a family nest, called it the name of the ancient Roman guardian gods and painted their figures on the estate gates. In 1899, being already a famous painter, I. Repin buys a plot of land 50 km from St. Petersburg, builds a house and carefully arranges the territory. The choice fell on the village of Kuokkala because, since 1898, Ilya Efimovich Repin served as rector of the Academy, he had plenty of responsibilities. Getting from the village to the place of service was quite convenient due to the railway line, and the place itself was secluded and quiet.

Distinguished Title

Everything turned out as planned:a place where you are always drawn back, where there are many loving relatives and friends, where you are always accompanied by success. Shortly after the establishment of the family, the owner received the title of professor and workshop director at the Academy of Arts. Manor Repin "Penaty" fully justified its name. 30 happy years lived here a great painter.

It was a real house of the artist, he loved hereevery corner, and every corner had its 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, on the estate, next to the house and Chugueva Hill. The village of Kuokkala was renamed Repino, and now the Penaty Museum, which was founded in 1940, is well-known to every Russian.

Modesty and democratic character of the manor

Unfortunately, during the war the house burned outcompletely, the whole estate suffered. Left oak, planted immediately after the funeral. After the war, the manor was completely renovated, and the new museum opened in 1964. Now it is a federal monument of architecture. You can talk about him for a very long time. All the most famous and best people of that time visited the artist's estate.

Took I.Repin on Wednesdays, the rest of the days he worked. Repinsky environments were known to both capitals, the guests came to the estate after 3 hours. Repin was a unique person, unique and his manor "Penaty." Its territory had its own laws. The artist did not keep the servant on principle, but two women who help around the house lived here on an equal basis with the owners, they ate everything at the same table. Serving someone is strictly prohibited. For violating the established procedure, punishment was provided in the form of public speaking condemning his act.

Attractiveness of repin environments

These democratic relations, without boonginess,made Repinsky "Penates" especially attractive. The atmosphere was very pleasant. The simplicity and modesty of the owner, who was not at all proud of the merits and position of the idol of his time, the lack of pretentiousness in the setting - all contributed to the establishment of companionship between the owners and guests of the estate. It should be noted that, being impressed by the speeches of A.N. Beketov and Lev Tolstoy, who were guests here, on the nutrition of killing-free food, vegetarianism prevailed in the estate. Much of the decor was done according to the artist’s sketches. So the guest table was bunk and rotating. Dishes were placed on the first tier, and by turning the knobs each of the guests could bring the desired dish to themselves. It was only in 1918, when tensions arose with food, that ordinary food began to be served at the table. At the same time, the border with Finland was closed, "Penates" became for Repin and many Russians in this country a piece of the Motherland. The artist of his native Academy bequeathed his legendary manor. Thanks to the great painter, the name of his manor acquired its own life. When they say or write in quotes and with the capital letter the word “Penaty”, it becomes clear that we are talking about the estate of Ilya Repin.

Now the museum-estate, located at:197738, St. Petersburg, Repino village, Primorskoye shosse, 411 - receives visitors every day, except Monday and Tuesday, from 10 am. Service only excursion.