"Pater" is perhaps the most frequent epithet of Janus, found also in the composition "Ianuspater". While numerous gods share this cultic epithet it seems the Romans felt it was typically pertinent to Janus. When invoked along with other gods, usually only he is called pater. For Janus the title is not just a term of respect; principally it marks his primordial role. He is the first of the gods and thus their father: the formula "quasi deorum deum" corresponds to "diuum deus" of the carmen Saliare. Similarly, in the expression "duonus Cerus", Cerus means creator and is considered a masculine form related to Ceres.