Janus Geminus Traditional Cache
FrancisScottKey: I am regretfully archiving this cache since there's been no response nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in the last reviewer note.
Regards,
FrancisScottKey
Volunteer Cache Reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Take Rte 175 to Tamar Drive to Majors Lane to Footed Ridge. I parked at the apartments at 39 12.263 076 49.278. You'll see the path down to the woods. Be prepared to cross stream. I found a place with rocks and didn't get wet. I don't think the cache is necessarily a 4, but that's what it comes up using this site's rating system.
The first of January was dedicated by the Romans to their God of Gates and Doors, Janus. A very old Italian God, Janus has a distinctive artistic appearance in that he is commonly depicted with two faces...one regarding what is behind and the other looking toward what lies ahead. Thus, Janus is representative of contemplation on the happenings of an old year while looking forward to the new. Some sources claim that Janus was characterized in such a peculiar fashion due to the notion that doors and gates look in two directions. Therefore, the God could look both backward and forward at the same time. Originally, Janus was portrayed with one bearded face and the other clean-shaven, which may have symbolized the moon and the sun, or age and youth. Later, he is most often shown with beards on both faces and frequently holds a key in his right hand.
In his role as the Guardian of Exits and Entrances, Janus was also believed to represent beginnings. The explanation for this belief being that one must emerge through a door or gate in order to enter into a new place. Therefore, the Romans also considered Janus as the God of Beginnings and his name was an obvious choice for the first month of their year...a month referred to by the Ancient Romans as Ianuarius, which is not so far removed from the modern-day "January," taken from the Etruscan word jauna which means "door." Originally, however, Janus was honored on the first day of every month, in addition to being worshipped at the beginning of planting season and again at the harvest. Deference was also paid to him at the most important beginnings in the life of an individual...such as birth and marriage.
In Rome, temples dedicated to Janus were numerous, the most important being known as the Ianus Geminus, a double-gated structure (one door facing the rising sun and the other, the setting sun) found on the Forum Romanum through which the Roman legionaries marched off to battle. This particular temple served a symbolic function. When the gates of the temple were closed, this represented peace within the Roman Empire. When the gates were open, it meant that Rome was at war. Between the reigns of Numa and Augustus, the gates were shut only once. Janus also had a temple on the Forum Olitorium and some time during the First Century, yet another temple was built in his honor on the Forum of Nerva. This particular temple had four portals known as the Ianus Quadrifons. At all temples, the priests of Janus sacrificed to him on a regular basis.
Janus was well-respected and highly-regarded as a God by the ancient Romans and his dual-faced image could be found on most city gates and many Roman coins. Given his role as Guardian of Gates, his position as the God of Beginnings and the esteem of having the first month of the year named in his honor, it is apparent that Janus played a significant role in Roman myth and religion. He was invoked at the start of each new day and often referred to as the Porter of Heaven. He particularly presided over all that is double-edged in life and represented the transition between the primitive and civilization.
Initial contents include a TB, Majikfleye wooden nickel, and some other stuff. There's a Majikfleye CD sitting outside the cache. Not many of these in circulation. Get it while you can!!! PLEASE BRING SOMETHING TO WRITE WITH.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ur'f abg nf gjb-snprq nf ur ybbxf.