Janus, the most importantof the Italian deities, was the Roman god of doors and beginnings. All doors and gates were sacred to Janus. As the god of beginnings, he was very important to the Romans, because if an undertaking had an unsuccessful beginning, it would lead to failure. As a result, Janus' blessing was always asked for. His blessing was requested at the beginning of every day, month, and year. The first month of the year, January, is named after him.

Janus was also the god who presided over the sowing of the crops, as sowing represented a beginning. In the Forum stood a Ianus geminus, or the sacred temple of Janus. Its doors remained open whenever Rome was at war. Considering Rome's rather warlike reputation, the doors were probably open quite often.

ACTIVITIES:
Janus activity

KEY TEST WORDS:(Know the material behind these items.)

The Underworld

FOOTNOTES:
Janus is the god with two faces. As he sat in his temple, he could see out both doors to see who was coming and who was going. The doors of the temple were closed during times of peace. The only time the doors of the temple were closed for a long period of time was during the Pax Romana, during the reign of Augustus. It is said by some that he had four faces, so he would be very observant. The name "Janus" is derived from the Latin root word which means "door"

SOURCES:
Jane Smith
Edith Hamilton's Mythology
Bulfinch's Mythology
The Encyclopedia of Mythology, by Eric Flaum
Manual of Mythology, by Alexander S. Murray