given and he had the title of Junonius, from the Arkite Dove Jönah, which the Latines expressed 17 Juno. There is a fragment from an antient hymn, preserved by Terentianus Maurus; in which we have an epitome of the Patriarch's history under the character of Janus. Jane Pater, Jane tuens, Dive biceps, biformis, He is styled by another poet Templorum positor, templorum sancte refector. By this is meant, that he was a renewer of religious rites, and the worship of the Deity. Some would confine this to Italy. Xenon accordingly says of Janus, in Italiâ primum Diis templa fecisse, et ritus instituisse sacrorum. He was reputed the same as Apollo; and had the title of gases, or the Deity of the door, or passage: and his altars were placed immediately before the door of the "In the Roman Calendar published by Gassendus the first of January is sacred IANO JUNONI. See Gassend, Calendar. Jul. Casaris. p. 22. ** Macrob. Sat. 1. 1. p. 157 house, or temple, where his rites were celebrated. 19 Ejus aras ante fores suas celebrant, ipsum introitus et exitus demonstrantes potentem. In memorial of his history every door among the Latines had the name of Janua: and the first month of the year was named Januarius, from Janus, as being an opening to a new æra, and in some degree a renewal of time. 20 Διο Ιανεαν ειπον τες την θύραν, και Ιανναριον μηνα τον θυραίον προσειπον. Ovid has continual allusions to this history. Janus is by him supposed to be the chaotic deity; and at the same time to preside over every thing that could be shut or opened; and to be the guardian of the doors of Heaven. 21 Me Chaos antiqui, nam res sum prisca, vocabant: Aspice, quam longi temporis acta canam. Quicquid ubique vides, cœlum, mare, nubila, terras, Omnia sunt nostrâ clausa, patentque manu. Me penes est unum vasti custodia mundi; Et jus vertendi cardinis omne meum est. Præsideo foribus cœli. What the poet means by Chaos will be hereafter 19 Macrob. Sat. 1. 1. p. 158. from Nigidius. 20 Porphyr. de Nympharum Antro. p. 264. 21 Fast. 1. 1. v. 103. 22 plainly disclosed. Macrobius having, in his Saturnalia, afforded a general account of the mythology of Janus, introduces a curious list of those titles, under which the Romans used to invoke him. "In sacris quoque invocamus Janum geminum, Janum patrem, Janum Junonium, Janum Consivum, Janum Quirinum, Janum Patulcium, et Clusivium.-Janum Patrem, quasi Deorum Deum: Consivum a conserendo, id est, a propagine generis humani, quæ Jano auctore conseritur. The reasons which the author afterwards produces for these titles being originally conferred, are not always satisfactory. The terms, however, contain matter of great consequence; and we may plainly perceive the true history to which they allude. According to Cornificius, the name of Janus was properly" Eanus; and, as he would insinuate, from eo, to go. But Eanus was undoubtedly the same as Ovas of the Greeks, and the Ionas of the eastern nations: by which was signified a Dove. Hence it was that Janus had the name of Junonius; for Iöna and Juno were the same. And hence it was, that the coins of Janus in Sicily had, upon the reverse, a Dove, 22 L. 1. p. 159. 23 Cornificius Etymorum libro tertio, Cicero, inquit, non Janum, sed Eanum nominat. Macrob. Sat. 1. 1. c. 9. p. 158. Janus Bifrons et Columbre Spanheim. v. 1. p. 168. Isis et Columbæ:et Nummus Ascalonitarum Ex. Gorlæo Spanheim et Paruta. |