Janiculus
/ˈdʒænɪkjʊləs/noun
An ancient hill in Rome, on the west bank of the Tiber.
Did you know?Janiculus is traditionally linked to Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, endings, and gateways, which makes the hill’s name feel like a literal threshold in the landscape.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Rome
Latin
Ianiculum / Janiculum
“The Janiculum, a hill in Rome”
Early Roman tradition
Latin
Ianus
“Janus, the god of doors, gates, beginnings, and transitions”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yeh₂-
“To go, pass, or move; the deeper source behind ideas of passage and opening”
Late Latin
Latin
ianua
“Door, entrance, gate”
Old French
Old French
janvier
“January, the month named for Janus”
Middle English
English
januarie / January
“The first month of the year”