The Temple of Janus stood in the Roman Forum near the Basilica Aemilia, along the Argiletum. It was a small temple with a statue of Janus, the two-faced god of boundaries and beginnings inside. Its do
Temple of Janus on a coin from the reign of Nero (54–68 AD), with ornate roof decoration, a latticed window (left), and a garland hung across the closed double doors (right)
Statue representing Janus Bifrons in the Vatican Museums
Nero coin: Obverse: Nero; Reverse: Ara Pacis
Gordian III
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Gordian III was Roman emperor from 238 to 244. At the age of 13, he became the second-youngest sole emperor of the united Roman Empire. Gordian was the son of Maecia Faustina and her husband Junius Ba
Temple of Janus (Roman Forum)
…emperors certainly closed and reopened the Gates of the Janus, but references in later and less thorough historians are fairly rare. There is a record of Gordian III in about the year 241 opening the doors for his war with Shapur I . The Roman poet Virgil included in the Aeneid the opening of the Gates of Janus to…
Bust in the Louvre
Silver Antoninianus of Gordian III, mint of Rome, 238–239 AD; Obverse: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; Reverse: VIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing facing in military dress, head left, with shield and spear; Reference: RIC 6, RSC 381