Sec. 2.  The Gods of Rome.

Creuzer, in speaking of the Italian worship, says that “one fact which emerges more prominently than any other is the concourse of Oriental, Pelasgic, Samothracian, and Hellenic elements in the religion of Rome.”  In like manner the Roman deities bear traces of very different sources.  We have found reason to believe, in our previous chapters, that the religion of Egypt had a twofold origin, from Asiatic and African elements, and that the religion of Greece, in like manner, was derived from Egyptian and Pelasgic sources.  So, too, we find the institutions and people of Rome partaking of a Keltic and Pelasgic origin.  Let us now see what was the character of the Roman deities.

* * * * *

One of the oldest and also most original of the gods of Rome was the Sabine god JANUS.  He was the deity who presided over beginnings and endings, over the act of opening and shutting.  Hence the month which opened the year, January, received its name from this god, who also gave his name to Janua, a gate or door[274], and probably to the hill Janiculum[275].

The Romans laid great stress on all beginnings; believing that the commencement of any course of conduct determined, by a sort of magical necessity, its results.  Bad success in an enterprise they attributed to a wrong beginning, and the only remedy, therefore, was to begin anew.  Ovid (Fasti, I. 179) makes Janus say, “All depends on the beginning.”  When other gods were worshipped, Janus was invoked first of all.  He was god of the year.  His temple had four sides for the four seasons, and each side had three windows for the months.  That his temple was open in war, but closed in peace, indicated that the character of Rome in times of war was to attack and not to defend.  She then opened her gates to send her troops forth against the enemy; while in seasons of peace she shut them in at home.  This symbol accords well with the haughty courage of the Republic, which commanded victory, by not admitting the possibility of defeat[276].

This deity is believed by Creuzer and others to have had an Indian origin, and his name to have been derived from the Sanskrit “Jan,” to be born.  He resembles no Greek god, and very probably travelled all the way from Bactria to Rome.

On the Kalends of January, which was the chief feast of Janus, it was the duty of every Roman citizen to be careful that all he thought, said, or did should be pure and true, because this day determined the character of the year.  All dressed themselves in holiday garb, avoided oaths, abusive words, and quarrels, gave presents, and wished each other a happy year.  The presents were little coins with a Janus-head, and sweetmeats.  It was customary to sacrifice to Janus at the beginning of all important business.