Quirinus facts for kids
In ancient Roman stories, Quirinus was an important early god of the Roman state. Later, during the time of Emperor Augustus, Quirinus was also used as a name for the god Janus, sometimes called Janus Quirinus.
Who Was Quirinus?
Quirinus was likely a god from the Sabine people. The Sabines were a group who lived near where the city of Rome would later be built. They built a special altar for Quirinus on the Collis Quirinalis, which is now known as the Quirinal Hill. This is one of the famous Seven Hills of Rome.
Quirinus and Romulus
When the Romans settled in the area, they started to worship Quirinus too. They believed he was the god version of Romulus, one of the twin founders of Rome. This idea came about before the Romans were heavily influenced by Greek gods.
Changes Over Time
As Roman beliefs changed, Quirinus became less important. Other gods like Juno, Minerva, and Mars became more central to Roman worship.
Images for kids
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This coin from 126 BC shows a priest of Quirinus. You can see "QVIRIN" on his shield.
See also
In Spanish: Quirino (mitología) para niños
