Janus, the dual-headed Roman deity, symbolizes doorways and new beginnings.
Nestled along Argiletum Street, the Temple of Janus in Rome connected the Roman Forum with the nearby residential areas. This modest wooden structure points to the ancient roots of Janus’ worship among the Romans. The significance of Janus can be observed through various historical markers; he often topped the lists of deities, was referred to as “the god’s god” in archaic Latin, and his visage appears on some of the earliest Roman currency. Janus therefore stands out as a pivotal figure in Roman religion, traditionally honored before every sacrifice with libations offered in his name.
Despite his importance, the essence of Janus’ cult remains largely misunderstood, even by the Romans themselves. This confusion became especially pronounced during Emperor Augustus’ reign (27 BCE – 14 CE), who began associating aspects of the Janus cult with practices and beliefs that were not initially part of it. Due to a lack of pre-Augustan texts, attempts to reconstruct earlier worship traditions have been challenging, though it is evident that Janus was also revered across various towns within the Tiber Valley.
The Structure of the Temple
The Janus temple on Argiletum featured twin gates, with a revered statue located in between. This statue, described by Pliny the Elder, serves as evidence of the artistic talent present in ancient Italy. Janus was depicted with two bearded heads, and his hand gestures were thought to symbolize the number 355, possibly referencing the earliest Roman calendar. While interesting, such interpretations remain speculative.
Additionally, Plutarch of Chaeronea noted that Janus’ temple held “double doors,” referred to as the gates of war. These gates remained open during conflicts and closed during peacetime. However, the notion of peace was fleeting—the Roman Empire frequently found itself embroiled in warfare against neighboring tribes. Historical records confirming the closure of these gates during Augustus’ era depict a rare instance of peace, specifically following his defeat of Pompey.
The Gates and their Symbolism
An intriguing aspect of Janus’ mythology involves a legend about King Numa, who allegedly decreed that the gates should stay shut during peaceful times. Yet, documented evidence indicates there were years devoid of conflict where the gates were still open contradicting this idea. Augustus later revived Numa’s tale, claiming that the gates had only been closed a couple of times until his reign, emphasizing the tradition as a sign of established peace following military victories.
The gates of Janus were ceremonially locked during significant triumphs, beginning with Augustus’ conquest over Mark Antony and subsequently during his subjugation of the Cantabrians in 25 BCE. The historic Christian author Orosius mentioned a third closure in 1 BCE, claiming it remained so for twelve long years; however, conflicts persisted in Roman territories during this time, including defeats in Germania.
Ritual and Literature
The famed Roman poet Virgil contributed to this narrative in “The Aeneid,” illustrating rituals surrounding the Roman consuls departing through Argiletum. His poetic descriptions invoke the ceremonial solemnity of war, with Janus acting as the guardian preventing aggressive forces from escaping. Some contemporaries like Ovid and Horace suggested an opposing viewpoint, indicating that the true peace was enclosed within Janus’ temple. This contradiction fueled further ambiguity.
Despite the various interpretations, the closing of Janus’ gates became a significant emblem over time. Subsequent emperors would continue the tradition. For instance, after military success against the Parthians, Emperor Nero closed the gates in 66 CE, and Vespasian followed suit in 75 CE, minting coins to commemorate these events.
The historian Eutropius notes that Gordian III reopened the gates in 241 CE, thereby indicating a closure that lasted for nearly 170 years. Although various emperors, including Trajan and Marcus Aurelius, were known for their military campaigns, it suggests that the gates had indeed been a symbol of peace rather than an active military portal.
Later Developments
The cult of Janus evolved notably over time. Emperor Domitian reportedly altered the original statue, replacing it with a four-faced bust overseeing multiple forums: the Forum of Peace, the Forum Transitorium, Julius Caesar’s Forum, and the Roman Forum itself. Although archaeological efforts between 1997-2000 did not yield substantial findings about the ancient shrine’s original groundwork, this evidence of change reveals the temple’s importance within the public and religious life of Rome.
Janus was not solely worshiped at the Argiletum temple; he also had altars on Janiculum Hill and hill Oppius, marking their significance in the passage to manhood ceremonies. A temple constructed by consul Marcus Duillius at the Vegetable Market celebrated military victories and was later refurbished by Emperor Tiberius. This temple featured twelve altars representing the months, with January potentially named in honor of Janus. Additionally, the Arch of Janus Quadrifrons at the Velabrum further attests to his multifaceted worship throughout the city.
