# Janus — The City of God character guide

> Janus in The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-book-i

## Who they are

Two-faced Roman god of beginnings and transitions, keeper of gates and doors.

## In the story

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-ix)

Roman god whose gates were closed during peace, referenced in the context of Numa's reign.

### [Chapter X: The Price of Empire and the Illusion of Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-x)

Roman god whose temple gates were closed during peace, referenced as a symbol of peace.

### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-book-vii)

Select god; mentioned as one of the twenty select gods and as a figure some identify with heaven or earth, but not the true God.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

Listed among the select gods, opens the way for reception of seed.

### [Chapter III: How there is no reason which can be shown for the selection of certain gods, when the administration of more exalted offices is assigned to many inferior gods.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-iii)

Select god assigned to beginnings and opening the way for conception.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

A god who lived innocently, received Saturn, and was disgraced by being depicted with multiple faces.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-vii)

Roman god of beginnings, identified by Varro as the world, and criticized for being given only half power over beginnings and ends.

### [Chapter VIII: The Absurdity of Janus Worship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-viii)

Pagan god with two or four faces, whose worship is critiqued.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-ix)

God of beginnings, compared unfavorably to Jupiter in terms of dignity.

### [Whether the distinction between Janus and Jupiter is a proper one](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-x)

Roman god of beginnings, equated with the world by some pagans.

### [Concerning the Surnames of Jupiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xi)

Referenced as a god paired with Jupiter in the division of the world, though Augustine argues their functions are closer than those attributed to Jupiter alone.

### [Concerning certain stars which the pagans have called by the names of their gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xv)

Has no star, though he is considered the world; instead has many faces on earth.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xvii)

Mentioned as an example of Varro's uncertain opinions, such as whether Janus was the world.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/janus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters