Quiz | As easy as Sunday morning: what have the Roman gods given our language?

1 / 10 | Janus was an ancient Roman god after whom January is named. It had two faces, each looking in opposite directions, so there was an opportunity to look back and look forward, which is how it felt at the beginning of the year. Which other word, meaning a person who usually takes care of gates and buildings, comes from Janus?

2 /10 | Ceres was one of the most important goddesses in Roman culture. She was the goddess of fertility and motherhood. She was also a goddess of food, which was eventually named after her. What is it that usually starts your day?

3 / 10 | Vortumna was the goddess of fate and vengeance and mistress of destiny. He was known as the ‘Turner’ because he turned the huge wheel of the year and stopped it at happiness, sorrow, life or death. What word do we get from his name, and consequently what phrase do we get from his function?

4 /10 | This term actually means “under the influence of the planet Jupiter” as it comes from the astrological belief that people born under the sign of Jupiter have a fixed temperament. Which word comes from the Roman god ‘Jove’ after whom this planet is named?

5 /10 | The Roman god Vulcan was the god of metallurgy and forging because he had control over one of the basic elements of the earth. This made their name the origin of the geographical entity most associated with that element. Which elements did they control and what were they named after?

6 /10 | The goddess of dawn and poetry in Roman mythology was the one who renewed herself every morning and flew into the sky to announce the arrival of her brother, the Sun. It also gives its name to the atmospheric phenomenon caused by magnetic particles in the night sky.

7 /10 | In Roman mythology, Liber Pater was the god of wine, and the ancient festival named after him was held to celebrate the rights that come with coming of age. What word do we ultimately get from his name?

8 /10 | Nix, daughter of Chaos, was a Roman goddess who was also the personification of a particular time period. She lived at the end of the earth and wore jet-black robes. What word do we finally get from his name?

9 /10 | Phonus was a Roman god who was the son of Janus after whom a certain type of body of water is named. Originally built to provide citizens with their basic needs, they soon became very fancy and decorative venues. What are these?

10 / 10 | Pax was a Roman goddess, the daughter of Jupiter and Justice. He was used by Emperor Augustus to help stabilize the Roman Empire after years of civil war. What English word do we get from them to wish a Happy New Year for all of us?