In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus (/ ˈdʒeɪnəs / JAY-nəs; Latin: Ianvs [ˈi̯aːnʊs]) is the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, [2] passages, frames, and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces. The month of January is named for Janus (Ianuarius). [3] .

Janus, in Roman religion, the animistic spirit of doorways (januae) and archways (jani). The worship of Janus traditionally dated back to Romulus and a period even before the actual founding of the city of Rome. Janus was represented by a double-faced head.

In Roman mythology, Janus held a unique and significant place as the god of beginnings, transitions, and passages. His dominion over these aspects of life made him one of the most important and revered deities in the Roman pantheon.

Feb 9, 2022 · Discover the major myths surrounding the origin story and abilities of Janus, the ancient Roman god of new beginnings, gates, doors and transitions.

Feb 6, 2015 · Janus was one of the earliest of the Roman deities, sometimes referred to as the “god of gods” or diuom deo; others equated him with the Etruscan god Culsans. However, there are at least two notable myths concerning his origin.

Sep 29, 2024 · Janus stands out among the Roman gods as one of the few who does not appear to have Greek roots or a Greek equivalent. He is a complex god associated with beginnings, endings, and transformations, and as an extension of that, physical gateways.

And Jana, a pair of ancient Latin divinities, who were worshiped as the sun and moon, whence they were regarded as the highest of the gods, and received their sacrifices before all the others. 1 The name Janus is only another form of Dianus, and Jana of Diana; but the ancients connected it also with janua (door), for it was also applied to a ...

Janus, the Roman deity, stands as the guardian of thresholds, a god whose very essence encapsulates the boundless realms of beginnings and endings. His origin, veiled in the mists of time and mythology, emerges from the heart of Italy, a testament to the Roman culture’s deep engagement with the concepts of time, transition, and duality.

At the start of the new year, the Romans took the time to worship the strange god Janus. This odd deity is often overlooked when discussing ancient Romand religion, yet he was considered to be a pivotal member of the divine pantheon.

6 days ago · Another deity associated with the Cloaca Maxima was Janus, the god of gates, passages, and time. Janus was also associated with crossing over running water and streams. This is why, according to tradition, the Roman king Numa Pompilius built a temple of Janus near the stream that later became the Cloaca Maxima. In Roman times, there were ...