Culsans

Basic Information

Culsans is a two-headed Etruscan god of doorways, doors, and death. The "two-headed door god" thing makes him similar to Janus and Portunes of Roman Mythology, and in fact the Romans appropriated him via Interpretatio Romana. The Romans decided the figure the Etruscans knew as Culsans was also the figure they knew as Janus. However, there are a few distinct differences, that would likely matter to an ancient Etruscan:

• Culsans is, like many Etruscan deities, a god of the underworld, and thus may have other death-themed powers and responsibilities.
• Culsans' two heads are always both presented as youthful, whereas the two heads of Janus are depicted as one youthful and one aged. Culsans' heads may be less metaphorical or dualistic in nature, and more solidly physiological.
• Culsans is often accompanied by his scissors-toting, bare-breasted companion Culsu. The nature of their relationship is poorly understood, but they seem to possibly guard the gates of the underworld together.

Sources

Bibliography

1. Purple Hell dot com (site may be down)

2. Non-Fiction Book: Etruscan Myths by Bonfante and Swaddling - Preview at Google Books

3. Obscure Goddess Online Directory - article on his partner Culsu

Game and Story Use

• For game ideas, see Janus, Portunes, Etruscan Mythology and Culsu.