Janus

The ancient Roman god Janus is thought by many to be the chief god of the Romans, the Romans named their first month of the year, January, in honor of him He is the god of beginnings, transitions and endings, in this role he is the protector of gates, doorways and passages.

Janus is most commonly depicted as having two faces, one looks back to the past, the other looks forward to the future. He represents the concept of the movement of time, from past to future, so he is the god that stands between time.

In his role as the god of beginnings and endings he was thought to preside over the beginnings and end of wars. He also had roles in birth, journeys and exchanges, both materially and metaphysically.

Janus had no specific priesthood, but the Chief Priest or rex sacrorum, carried out all rites and ceremonies in honor of Janus. He was invoked at the beginning of all rites, regardless of which god was being honored.

The God Janus is the protector of Rome, the guardian of the gates of heaven, the initiator of human life, historical ages, financial enterprises and civilization.

The most widespread myth concerning the origins of Janus tells that he was a mortal from Thessaly, he married and shared the kingdom of Latium with Camese, who bore him several children, among them the river god Tiberinus for whom the River Tiber was named.

When Camese died Janus ruled the kingdom of Latium alone, bringing a golden age of peace and prosperity to the people. He is credited with introducing coinage, agriculture and the law system, as well as being the father of civilization.

After his death Janus was deified and became the protector god of Rome. In legend Janus saved the city from the Sabines, who attacked Rome after Romulus captured the Sabine Virgins. One of the daughters of the guards betrayed the city and let the attackers in. Janus caused a boiling hot spring to bubble up and the Sabines fled the city. This legend explains the reason why in times of war the gates of temples dedicated to Janus were left open, so that the god could protect the city, in peacetime the gates were closed.

Most Romans were simple farmers and working folk, and their homes contained small shrines dedicated to the Lar, the spirit of the household and the Penates, the guardian spirits of pantry and store cupboard. These spirits were aspects of the protective Janus. Invocations would be performed by the Pater Familias, or head of the household, and small offerings would be made to these spirits to bring protection to the household and its inhabitants.

Written by DragonJewel
(pic taken from Wikipedia)