In Roman mythology and religion, Quirinus ( /kwɪˈraɪnəs/; Latin:Quirīnus, [kʷɪˈriːnʊs]) is an early god of the Roman state. In Augustan Rome, Quirinus was also an epithet of Janus, as Janus Quirinus. His name may be derived from the Sabine word quiris "spear."