Janus
Elizabeth Pemberton
Janus: God of beginnings and ends
No Greek counterpart
One of earliest Roman deities
Began as a domestic deity
• Spirit of the doorway or ianua
Eventually evolved into state deity
Presides over every entrance/ departure
• Two-faced (Janus bifrons)
Gatekeeper
• Symbols: porter’s staff (virga) and a set of keys
Janus & the Roman Religion (1)
Name evoked before Zeus in
prayer
Protected the start of all
activities
Inaugurated the seasons
1st day of each month
considered sacred for him
January 9th: The Agonium
(Festival)
Janus & the Roman Religion (2)
5 shrines built to honor him
• Jani: ceremonial gateways
Most important shine:
• located near the Forum
• Opening/closing of doors meaningful
• Armies leaving to wage war: exited
according to ritual
Rituals preformed by rex sacrorum
2 Myths Involving Origin of Janus
Myth 1
• Janus ruled alongside
Camesus
• After Camesus’ death he ruled
peacefully for many years
• Received the god Saturn,
after he was driven from
Greece
• Deified upon death
Myth 2
Present during time of Romulus
Rome was under attack
Enemies scaled the walls of the city
Janus poured a powerful spray of
hot water down the wall, forcing
their retreat
• Romulus established cult honoring
Janus
• Temple doors left open
•
•
•
•
2 Myths Involving Origin of Janus
Myth 1
• Janus ruled alongside
Camesus
• Son Tiberinus
• Built Janiculum
• After Camesus’ death he ruled
peacefully for many years
• Received the god Saturn, after
he was driven from Rome
• Deified upon death
Myth 2
Present during time of Romulus
Rome under attack
Enemies scaled the walls of the city
Janus forced their retreat
Romulus established cult honoring
Janus
• Temple doors left open
•
•
•
•
•
Janus in Popular Culture
“By Janus,
I think no.”
Act 1, Scene
2
Janus
Capital
Group
Moon of
Saturn
References
Text
•
http://www.britannica.com/topic/Janus-Roman-god
•
http://www.ancient.eu/Janus/
Pictures
•
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Sesterce_temple_janus.JPG
•
http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/15900/15984/Janus_15984_lg.gif
•
http://www.crystalinks.com/janusarch2.jpg
•
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/wellsml/files/2013/01/Othello-Cover.jpg
•
http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BN-ES776_JanusC_G_20140926094649.jpg