Arch of Janus Quadrifrons
A satellite photo can be found here.
| home : index : picture archive : Italy : Rome : photo by Marco Prins © | ||
Arch of Janus Quadrifrons |
||
| Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius. | ||
|
The two-headed god Janus, originally venerated in the valley of the Lower Tiber, belongs to the oldest members of the Roman pantheon. He was considered to be the "god of the gods" and guarded doors and gates. Janus was also invoked at the beginning of sacrifices and is thought to have had something to do with beginnings in general. From the reign of Domitian (81-96) on, Janus was represented with four heads, called Janus Quadrifrons. |
|
|
The arch of Janus Quadrifrons at the Velabrum marks the northeastern limit of the Forum Boarium (cattle market). It was constructed from bricks and covered with white marble. The building was probably erected by the emperor Constantine I the Great (306-337) and was also called Arcus Constantini. | |
|
The exact significance of this monumental arch, which was built on
top of the Cloaca
maxima, is poorly understood. This is a small detail of one
of the arches and shows Minerva. It is likely that it is a representation
of the sacred statuette called Paladium, representing the goddess and -according
to the poet Virgil, taken from Troy to Italy by the hero Aeneas.
A satellite photo can be found here. |
|
|
||
|
|
||