What item was donated to the Lares before the wedding?

The correct answer is a bulla. In ancient Roman culture, a bulla was a locket or amulet worn by children, typically made of gold or leather, which was believed to protect them from evil spirits. It was customarily worn until they reached adulthood, and it was common for a boy to have his bulla dedicated to the Lares, the household spirits, as a rite of passage before his wedding.

This ritual symbolized a transition from childhood to adulthood, highlighting the significance of the Lares in Roman domestic religion. They were guardians of the household, and offerings to them were meant to ensure protection and favor for the family. The bulla would be laid before the Lares as part of this ceremonial procedure.

While the other options also relate to Roman customs, they do not pertain to the specific act of donation before marriage. The vittae refers to the woolen fillet worn by brides, the flammeum is a bridal veil, and usus indicates a form of cohabitation, but none of these items carries the same significance regarding the donation ceremony to the Lares.