Mouth of the Truth
Historical Center
- Location: Mouth of the Truth
- Date: 1 B.C. - 1 B.C.
The Mouth of the Truth, a classical sculpture and still a grand mystery today. It is unclear what the subject actually is (the Ocean, an oracle, a faun or Zeus), as well as its function, perhaps a fountain or a sort of manhole cover (for the Cloaca Massima, an ancient sewer system). Its fame comes from the medieval legend stating that it was built by the wizard Virgil for husbands and wives to test the fidelity of their partners: for cheats, their hand would be removed after inserting it into the mouth of the sculpture.
