Chapter 10.—Whether the
Distinction Between Janus and Jupiter is a Proper One.
Since, therefore, Janus is the
world, and Jupiter is the world, wherefore are Janus and Jupiter
two gods, while the world is but one? Why do they have separate
temples, separate altars, different rites, dissimilar images? If
it be because the nature of beginnings is one,
and the
nature of causes another, and the one has received the name of
Janus, the other of Jupiter; is it then the case, that if one man
has two distinct offices of authority, or two arts, two judges or
two artificers are spoken of, because the nature of the offices or
the arts is different? So also with respect to one god: if he
have the power of beginnings and of causes, must he therefore be
thought to be two gods, because beginnings and causes are two
things? But if they think that this is right, let them also
affirm that Jupiter is as many gods as they have given him
surnames, on account of many powers; for the things from which
these surnames are applied to him are many and diverse. I shall
mention a few of them.