Janus

Janus was the Roman god of gates, doors, beginnings, and endings.

Depiction
Janus was usually depicted with two faces, one facing the left and the other facing the right. One face was said to be looking into the past while the other was looking into the future.

Abode
Janus was worshipped as the god of doors and gates as well as beginnings and endings. As such, he was worshipped at the beginning of important events, like the harvest, planting time, marriages, and births. Janus also presided over duality, such as the dualities between primitivity and civility, country and city, peace and war, youth and aged, etc.

Attributes
One of Janus' notable attributes was a key, which he was usually depicted as holding in his right hand.

Mythology
In one myth, Janus traveled from Thessaly to Latium and was welcomed by Camese, who he married and ruled Latium with until her death. While Janus ruled Latium, the people were free from war and strife; this period of time was called the Golden Age.

After the Sabines attacked Rome, Janus protected the city by causing a hot spring to erupt where the enemy was traveling. Ever since this, the doors to Janus' temple have been kept open during times of war so that he could intervene when needed.

Other Names

 * Bifrons