January
the first month of the year. It was, among the Romans, held sacred to Janus, from whom it derived its name, and was added to the calendar along with February by Numa. It was not till the 18th century that January was universally adopted by European nations as the first month of the year, though the Romans considered it as such as far back as 251 B. C.
JANUS (jān'us), one of the divinities of ancient Rome, and the only one having no equivalent in the Grecian mythology.
He was represented as a son of Apollo, and as having built a small town on the Tiber, which he called Janiculum. As the name implies, Janus was the god of JAPAN doors and gates, and in token of his office carried a key in his hand. The first month of the English year receives its name from him, and he presided over the dawn of every day and the commencement of every undertaking. Janus was usually represented with two heads, looking in opposite directions. His temple at Rome was kept open in the time of war, and shut in time of peace.