Janus. One of the superior gods of the Romans. The myths represent him as reigning over the earliest inhabitants of Italy in the time of Saturn. It was to Janus that Saturn fled, and under them was the "golden age," a period of peace. To Janus, Romulus dedicated that celebrated temple, which was always open in time of war, and was closed with much solemnity, whenever there was general peace in the Roman Empire; a thing which happened but three times during 700 years. From this deity the month of January was named, and the first day of the month was sacred to him.

---