Rome History – The Mouth of Truth

“La Bocca della Verità (in English, “the Mouth of Truth”) is an image, carved from Pavonazzetto marble, of a man-like face, located in the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome, Italy. The sculpture is thought to be part of a 1st century ancient Roman fountain, or perhaps a manhole cover, portraying one of several possible pagan gods, probably Oceanus. Most Romans believe that the ‘Bocca’ represents the ancient god of the river Tiber.” (Wikipedia)

This huge stone disc, originally a well cover, is now located in the atrium of the ‘Santa Maria in Cosmedin’ church. Etched into the stone is the face of the open-mouthed river god. Legend has it that it will keep the hand of any liar who dares to put it in his mouth.

The reason for its unshakeable fame is a rather macabre legend associated with the mask since ancient times. If a liar puts their hand inside its mouth, they will lose it.

This legend probably originates from Roman times. It is said that the rich wife of a Roman noble was accused of adultery. The woman denied the accusations, but her husband wanted to put her to the test by making her hand inside the stone mouth. Knowing perfectly well that she was lying, the woman used a very clever strategy. In front of a group of curious bystanders who had gathered around the Mouth of Truth, the man who was actually her lover embraced her and kissed her. She pretended that she didn’t know him and accused him of being a madman and the crowd chased him away.

When she put her hand into the mouth, the woman declared that she had never kissed any other man apart from her husband and the poor madman who had just kissed her. In this way she was certain that she hadn’t lied and her hand was saved. The betrayed husband saved her honour, but the Mouth of Truth lost its credibility and it is said that since that day it no longer carried out its function as a right and unappeasable judge.

PIAZZA BOCCA DELLA VERITÁ
This area, original site of the Foro Boario (Boarian Forum) is surrounded by ancient and medieval monuments. To the right stands the 10th century, Casa di Crescenzio, next to it, a few Ionic columns are all that remain of the republican era ‘tempio della fortuna virile’ (temple of virile fortune), and behind it, the ‘tempio di Vesta’ with its imperial era Corinthian columns. On the extreme left hand side stands the quadruple ‘Arco di Giano (Janus), from the period of Constantinian decadence.
Beyond the arch rises the 6th century church of San Giorgio al Velabro, with its twelfth century portico and bell tower. Attached to the church is the 3rd century, Arco degli Argentari, erected in honor of Septimus Severus and Giulia Domna, shown depicted during an act of sacrifice to the god.

(Source | italyguides.it)