I could not have said it better. I’ve glued to the screen trying every character and every option.
It’a been a while since I had this much run reading an IF.
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-bored waiting so decided to put up some info on janus- How Janus Became the Doorkeeper of Heaven and God of the Gods: Janus is a deity found in the religion and myth of ancient Rome. The Romans believed that Janus was the god of doors, beginnings and endings, and transitions. In accordance to the role he played, Janus is depicted as a two-faced god, Ianus Bifrons (‘Janus Twofaced’) one looking to the future and the other looking to the past. Occasionally, Janus was depicted as having four faces, in a form known as Ianus Quadrifrons (‘Janus Fourfaced’). The first month of the year, January, was named as such in honor of this god.
Who Is Janus?
Janus is an ancient god whose worship dates all the way back to the time of Romulus and even before the founding of Rome. Unlike many of the deities worshipped by the Romans, Janus does not have a Greek counterpart or equivalent. According to one myth, Janus was the first king of Latium, and is credited with bringing civil and social order to mankind. In doing so, he brought humanity from barbarity to civilization and this transition from one state of being to another is represented by Janus’ two faces.
According to Roman mythology, Janus was the husband of Camasene, a nymph, and the two had a son, Tiberinus. It was from Tiberinus that the river Tiber gained its name. Prior to that, the river was known as Albula. Following Tiberinus’ death in the river or on its banks, however, its name was changed. In another myth about Janus, Saturn, after being exiled by Jupiter from the heavens, arrives in Janiculum (the city founded by Janus) on a ship. The god was received warmly by Janus and in return for his hospitality bestowed on the king the power to see both into the future and into the past
Why Was Janus Such an Important God to the Romans?: The Romans regarded Janus as an important god, which is evident in one of his titles, divom deus , which means ‘the god’s god’. Before a sacrifice could be made to any of the other deities , Janus would first be invoked and a libation be poured for him. The rationale for this is that since Janus was the doorkeeper to the heavens, it was through him that all the other gods and goddesses may be reached.
The association between Janus and doorways is seen in the fact that many jani were built in Rome. These ceremonial gateways were free-standing structures used for symbolically auspicious entrances or exits. These gateways had a particular connection to Roman armies departing for war and there were both lucky and unlucky ways to march through a janus.
What is the Most Famous Shrine Dedicated to Janus?: The most famous janus in Rome was the Janus Geminus (‘Twin Janus’), which was a shrine to Janus located on the north side of the Forum. This was a bronze structure with double doors on each end, with the cult statue in between them. According to tradition, the doors of the shrine would be left open during times of war and conversely closed during times of peace. According to the writer Plutarch, it was the legendary king Numa (the successor of Romulus) who initiated this tradition and during his reign the doors had always been closed, signifying that his rule had been a peaceful one. On the other hand, the poet Virgil states that the closing of the doors were meant to keep war in.
The closing of the doors of the Janus Geminus was a powerful symbol and was exploited by the Roman emperors. Augustus, for instance, boasted that the doors of were shut three times during his reign. The doors of the shrine were also shut during the reigns of Nero (in 66 AD) following the victory over the Parthians and Vespasian (in 75 AD) following the conquest of Jerusalem. Coins were minted to commemorate the occasion.
While the Janus Geminus was the most important shrine to Janus, there were also other temples built in his honor. One of them, for instance, was erected on the Janiculum, while another was built at the Forum Holitorium (‘Vegetable Market’) by the consul Marcus Duillius to commemorate his naval victory over the Carthaginians at the Battle of Mylae in 260 BC.
The most obvious legacy of Janus in modern culture is the month January, which was named in his honor. In addition, the English word ‘janitor’ is derived from the Latin ‘ianitor’, meaning ‘doorkeeper’ or ‘porter’ and is a reference to this Roman god .
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-found more info on janus so decided put it up- Roman God Janus: Origins, Symbol, Powers, and Abilities:World History Edu explores the myths surrounding Janus’ birth story, meaning, worship, powers, significance, and symbols.
Summary
In ancient Roman religion, the deity Janus was one of the most well-known and revered deities among the people. A deity primarily in charge of doors and gateways, Janus was believed to usher people into a new phase or period of their lives. It was also believed that Janus had complete dominion over the concept of time.
He certainly did not have the lofty appeal as the likes of Jupiter, Vesta or Mars; however, Janus packed a real punch when it came to deciding change and transformation. The ancient Romans believed that he was the intermediary between one’s dreams and reality – between abstract entities and actualized goals. Ancient Romans believed that Janus had the key to doors or gateways; thus he stood guard at the door and transported people from what was to what is to become.
Being the deity in charge of transitions, Janus also stood between life and death, childhood and adulthood, war and peace, beginning and ending, and so on.
In terms of depiction, this Roman deity was portrayed with two faces – a symbol that reinforces his duality. His importance lied in the belief that he oversaw the beginning and ending of a period. Such was his significance that the gates to important buildings in ancient Rome were named after him. Being the god of beginnings, Janus’s name was given to the first month of the year, January.
Janus – a uniquely Roman god
Unlike many Roman deities that were derived from the Greek pantheon, Janus was unique in the sense that he was created by the Romans. It means that he had no Greek equivalent.
Meaning of his name
In Latin, his name – Iānus – can be interpreted as ‘doorway’ or ‘arched passage’. And unbeknownst to many people, the word “janitor” was derived from the Latin word ‘ianitor’, which in turn came from the word ‘ianua’, which means ‘door’.
According to the famous Roman authors like Cicero and Macrobius (Ambrosius Theodosius Macrobius), Janus’ name is associated with the Latin word ire, which means “to go”.
A deity as old as time itself
Ancient Romans also believed that Janus was the god of time. In some accounts, he is described as deity who is as old as time itself. What this means is that Janus was present at the beginning of creation, making him the “master of time”. Some ancient texts state that Janus had to be present in order for the gate of Heaven to be attended to.
In order words, Janus’ role as the gatekeeper of doorways and gates applies to gates in heaven and on earth.
Residence
In some accounts, Janus was portrayed as the first king of Latium – a place in present-day Italy. As a matter of fact, the Romans believed that Janus’ royal residence was situated atop the Janiculum hill, near the river Tiber.
In one version of the myth, his home straddled the boundary between Earth and Heaven.
The god of peace and war
In ancient Rome, it was believed that the deity who oversaw the period between war and peace was Janus. In other words, without Janus, there could be no transition from one period to another.
Janus Geminus
Janus’ temple, Janus Geminus, was established by Numa Pompilius, Rome’s legendary second king. Due to his even-handed leadership style, Numa was greatly admired by his people. Sited in the Roman Forum, near the Senate House, Janus Geminus is said to have been closed its doors throughout the reign of Numa. This was because there was no war during Numa’s 43-year reign of peace and prosperity.
Role in the Roman Pantheon
In addition to being the overseer of doorways, frames and passages, Roman god Janus was in charge of the following key functions in the Roman pantheon:
Being the deity of transition and beginnings, Janus played a vital function in the Roman pantheon. For starters, the Romans called upon him at the start of every religious ritual.
Furthermore, Janus was believed to be the overseer of all forms of celestial or earthly transitions and beginnings. Those transitions could also apply to abstract ideas.
So, regardless of how minute or big the transition was, Janus was always present to preside over it.
The ancient Romans revered Janus as the force that initiated movements and motion. Thus no action in the cosmos could begin without his intervention.
In some versions of the story, Janus was associated with the sun and the moon as well as the phases and movements of other celestial bodies in the cosmos.
The god of every form of transition and change
The transition from childhood to adulthood was believed to be carried out by Janus. Thus Janus was concerned with every manner of change or transition taking place in the cosmos, symbolically and metaphorically.
The ancient Romans also called upon Janus in times of marriage ceremonies, child outdooring, and deaths.
A dual-faced god with the ability to see in both directions
Janus’ two faces allowed him to transcend the boundaries of space and time. He was portrayed as a deity who could see in both directions of time – the future and the past. This explains why he was described as the “master of time”.
Another implication of this ability meant that he could supervise the planting seasons and harvests. He was also present when things decayed.
Bringer of civilization
Ancient Romans credited Janus for ushering them from an era of barbarism and backwardness into a civilized society. This explains why some versions of the myth hold him in high esteem, almost in the same reverence as the Roman god Jupiter.
Association with coin mintage Janus was revered as the deity who helped people into a new period or phase in their lives. Hence, a dual-faced figure was the commonest symbol associated with Janus. | Image: A bronze as from Canusium depicting a laureate Janus with the prow of a ship on the reverse
In ancient Rome, Janus’ sphere of influence extended to finance and the economy. For example, ever wonder why assēs – coins used during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire – had the two-faced image of Janus? This was because Janus was praised as the first Roman deity to mint coins.
How was Janus worshiped?
It was believed by the Romans that Janus was worshiped as far back as in the era of Romulus, Rome’s legendary founder and first king. This means that he was indeed one of the oldest deities in the Roman pantheon.
The word jani in ancient Rome referred to ceremonial doorways or gateways that served as auspicious entrances or exists in or out of very sacred places and important cities.
It has been stated that the legendary second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius, built Janus Quininus (or Ianus geminus) – a doorway/passage that the Romans opened during times of war and closed it during times of peace. When the gates of the passage were opened, sacrifices and other religious rituals were performed in honor of Janus.
Patron god of January
It’s been stated Roman consul Gaius Duilius built a temple in the Fforum Holitorium just after the Battle of Mylae in the mid-3rd century BCE. There was a statue in temple that had on its right hand the number 300 and on the left hand the number 65. Also in the temple were twelve altars, which scholars believe represented the months of the year.
As far back as the era of the legendary king Numa, the month of January (known in Latin as Ianuarius) was known as the month of Janus. January being the first month of the year further reinforces Janus’ status as the deity of beginnings.
Depictions and symbols of Janus
Common depictions of Janus in art see him as a either a bearded man or a man without a beard, with the latter often found on coins. Then there is his peculiar image – the two-faced depiction. His two faces are almost always shown facing in opposite directions. The reason for this had to do with his ability to look both forward and backward at the same time. And as stated above, he possesses the ability to transcend space-time boundaries.
Typical with many Roman gods, Janus is depicted with a staff in his right hand. The Romans believed that he used the staff to guide travelers embarked on a journey to safety.
In his other hand, he often carries a set of keys, which symbolizes his dominion over entrances, doors and gates.
In some artworks, Janus is portrayed with four faces, a symbol that raises the notion of the four-way arch revered in ancient Rome.
Epithets
As a very important deity in ancient Rome, Janus went by a number of epithets, including, Pater, Duonus Cerus, Iunonius, Patulcius, and Geminus.
More on Janus
- Ancient Romans believed that Janus rained down hot boiling water to disorganize an attack by the Sabines against the Romans.
- The terms terms Janus primus and Vesta extrema explains the invocation ritual that the Romans practiced. Janus was invoked first; while the goddess Vesta was invoked last.
- The Agonium, a festival in honor of Janus, is believed to have been held on January 9 every year.
- Ancient Romans associated Janus with a number of gods, including Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth; Quirinus (also known as Mars tranquillus – Peaceful Mars); and Portunus, the Roman god of keys, shipping, harbors, and gates.
- The ancient Romans worshiped Janus as the deity that presided over all forms of beginnings – this could be abstract or concrete.
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Hello everybody. Just stopping by with a progress report. I’ve been chipping away at chapter 2. Currently, it stands around ~25k words. This is the state of each fable variation.
The Shared Content: 90-95% Complete
Zeus: 90% Complete
Arthur: 60% Complete
Ishtar: 30% Complete
SWK: 20% Complete
Pele: 10% Complete
Janus: 10% Complete
Lucifer: Not Started
Since I have been home from vacation, I have been happy with my progress, but it will still take longer than expected to complete this chapter. It’s looking more like late July/early August. Sorry for the delay!
Because of this delay, I am considering uploading first half of the fable variations while I write the other half. Would this be preferable to one big update at once? Will attach a poll.
- All at once
- Upload the first 3 while I write the others
0 voters
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At least the extra time will mean it will be a seriously beefy chapter!
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I don’t think I can survive without broken fable for that long without an update, so pushing the early version first sounds good to me
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I think it’s better to launch what’s already done, which improves engagement.
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I think uploading the frist three would be good. It would let us have a taste and then enjoy the variations once everything is together. It like having a good meal and then getting the same meal later but with more spice so to say.
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Funfact, sometimes I forget that Pele is the Goddess of Fire and I think it’s the football player and I keep thinking “Why the fuck is he in the game?” then I remember again “Oh yeah, the goddess of Hawaii”
(Disclaimer: And yes Americans, I refuse to call football soccer, you deciding to take Rugby and put on a bunch of armor doesn’t make it right to call it football)
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Btw had a question about the level of the mc, compared to other augmented. Speaking in numbers, how does the number 1 in stats compare to other augmented? I’m def butchering this question lol
What i mean is, for example, the strength to take down buildings with punches, is that a normal feat for “average” augmented or is it already pretty impressive?
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well is average, from what the game says on what is considered impressive among augmented are those that can level a whole entire city or punch a mountain
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Just discovered this WIP and I have to say as a fan of mythology that this is a very fun story to read. My favorite path is Janus. I look forward to the release of this and the next updates!
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The wait is killing me
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I wonder how strong was ( i assume) Chronos, since it took an already strong mc to consume the drug to have a chance against him. Was he at a similar level to Buddha?
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definitely not, Zeus can still kill him while the monkey got rekt, and the power level between Zeus and SWK is honestly the same.
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Though Wukong is definitely more skilled so they have a higher chance of actually beating Zeus.
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This is great i love it can’t wait for the final product.
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This is so cool. I chose Sun Wukong to roleplay as him and damn it’s so fun. I would really really like to see the next chapter and the final product of this.
But there’s no need to push yourself, we can wait. 
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Agree. I pray the author won’t fall under pressure and will take a rest if they want to. The health of the author is important as much as this story.
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I am very much invested in the story so far, and while I’ve explored multiple paths (not all yet) I am so far most fond of the Lucifer route. I am curious however of a few things regarding the path that may be considered spoilers, but I was wondering if Jannah is truly gone and if Lucifer will get their wings back. We’re given regeneration to a degree, yet they never grew back on their own, so would we have to find them and reattatch them manually, or are they permanantly missing.
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