Editing Janus (section)

=== Janus and Portunus ===
[[Portunes|Portunus]] may be defined as a sort of duplication inside the scope of the powers and attributes of Janus.<ref>G. Wissowa ''Religion und Kultus der Römer'' (Munich, 1912), 2nd p. 112.</ref> His original definition shows he was the god of gates and doors and of harbours. In fact it is debated whether his original function was only that of god of gates and the function of god of harbours was a later addition: Paul the Deacon writes:
: "... he is depicted holding a key in his hand and was thought to be the god of gates".

Varro would have stated that he was the god of harbours and patron of gates.<ref>''[[Scholia]] Veronensia ad Aeneidem'' V 241.</ref> His festival day named [[Portunalia]] fell on 17 August, and he was venerated on that day in a temple ''ad pontem Aemilium'' and ''ad pontem Sublicium'' that had been dedicated on that date.<ref>G. Wissowa above.</ref>

Portunus, unlike Janus, had his own [[flamen]], named ''Portunalis''. It is noteworthy that the temple of Janus in the [[Forum Holitorium]] had been consecrated on the day of the Portunalia, and that the flamen Portunalis was in charge of oiling the arms of the statue of [[Quirinus]].<ref>Festus s. v. persillum p. 238 L. The ''persillum'' was a ''rediculum'', small container in which the ointment was kept.</ref><ref>R. Schilling above p. 99 and n. 4, p. 120; G. Dumézil above part I chapt. 5 It. tr. p.237-238.</ref>