Small portable altars, most often made of terracotta, but also of stone. These usually have a square or rectangular shape with varying dimensions. Arulae are considered too small to have been used for animal sacrifice, and are commonly decorated with moldings at top and bottom and with molded reliefs on one or more sides. Characteristic products of South Italy and Sicily from the the second quarter of the sixth century through the Roman period. They have been found in sanctuaries, near or inside graves, and in habitation sites. (en)