| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 187 | Silver | Auction date: 10 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 217 Price realized: 90 EUR (Approx. 97 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Nero AD 54-68. Rome As Æ 28 mm, 10,03 g NERO CAESAR AVG GERM IMP, laureate head right / PACE P R VBIQ PARTA IANVM CLVSIT, temple of Janus with latticed window on left and and closed door on right; S-C across fields. Very Fine RIC² 306. The Temple of Janus, known as the "Templum Jani" in Latin, was a temple in ancient Rome dedicated to the god Janus. Janus was a unique Roman deity associated with doorways, gates, transitions, and the beginning of events. What set Janus apart was his two faces, one looking forward and the other backward, symbolizing his role in transitions and passages. The Temple of Janus was distinctive for its architectural design. Unlike many Roman temples that had a closed-cell, the Temple of Janus was an open-fronted structure. It consisted of gates or archways on both ends, representing the doors of the god Janus, and was located in the Roman Forum. According to historical sources, the gates were kept closed during times of peace and opened during times of war. The opening and closing of the gates symbolized the state of conflict or peace in the Roman Empire. It is said that the gates were rarely closed, indicating the frequent military campaigns and conflicts engaged in by the Romans. The concept of "closing the gates of Janus" became a metaphor for peace, and the gates were closed only a few times in Roman history, such as during the reign of Augustus, signifying a rare period of peace. The Temple of Janus thus served both a religious and symbolic function in ancient Rome, embodying the Roman mindset toward war and peace. Unfortunately, no remains of the Temple of Janus survive today, but its historical significance remains notable in Roman history and literature. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
