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.

2015年2月6日 · 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.

2022年2月9日 · Discover the major myths surrounding the origin story and abilities of Janus, the ancient Roman god of new beginnings, gates, doors and transitions.

2023年6月7日 · Janus was a god of the beginning and end of various events such as the seasons, months, and years. He marked the start and end of life, the beginning and end of journeys, of an emperor’s rule, of different stages of life, and so on.

2025年1月1日 · Janus, the Roman God of beginnings and endings, plays a critical role in mythology as the overseer of transitions. Often depicted with two faces, he symbolizes the duality of time, overseeing both past and future.

2022年11月10日 · Janus was the god of all thresholds, gates and doors on the physical plain. His name derives from this function, ianua or opening. His original sanctuary was on the Janiculum hill, which was on the threshold of Rome itself.

2024年9月29日 · 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.

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.