Janus

• Janus was the Roman God of Transition and Duality, also of gates, doorways and passages, and is usually depicted with two faces.
• The month of January is named after Janus.

Description

• Janus was considered to be present at the beginning and the end of a war, thus presiding over the transition into War and back into Peace.
• His position in the Roman Pantheon was equal to and perhaps above that of Jupiter.

Gates of Janus

• The Gates of Janus were the doors leading to the Temple of Janus in the Forum Romanum in Rome.
• The doors were open in times of War and closed in times of Peace.

Temple of Janus

• The Temple of Janus was located in the Forum Romanum, Rome.
• It was considered to have been originally built by King Numa (715-673 BCE).

Arch of Janus

• The Arch of Janus (4th century CE) is located in the Forum Boarium in Rome.
• It is a cubic arch with a gate on each side built over a crossroads. Each of the four piers has six niches for statues (no longer in existence).