The Mouth of Truth from the Church of Santa Maria in Rome

The Mouth of Truth in Rome is an ancient artifact that, according to legend, has the power to detect lies. According to myths, anyone who inserts their hand into the open, stone mouth and tells a lie will lose their hand.

The marble block in the form of a medallion has intrigued researchers for centuries, yet its history and function remain unexplained.

The Mouth of Truth a mysterious artifact and lie detector from ancient Rome

The Mouth of Truth is a marble, round plaque resembling a medallion with a carved bearded face. The stone lips of this representation hold its greatest mystery, as according to legend, liars may lose a limb if they place their hand inside.

The history of this marble block in the shape of a medallion is as mysterious as its original function. The bas-relief called the Mouth of Truth likely originates from ancient Rome and was created over 2,000 years ago. Was it truly an ancient lie detector, or part of a larger construction serving some long-forgotten purpose?

Throughout the ages, various methods have been employed in different places to extract the truth from suspects. These methods were not solely based on the naivety and gullibility of people.

In Colombia a thousand years ago, a popular lie detector was a venomous box. Its construction was straightforward – a simple wooden box filled with sharp pieces of wood and metal. Prisoners were convinced that it contained a snake capable of detecting lies through touch. Often, staged demonstrations involved a manipulated prisoner giving false testimony, then placing their hand into the box and falling dead. As you might guess, subsequent accused individuals sang like birds.

In China, prisoners were instructed to spit dry rice, and the examiner checked whether the grains were wet or dry after spitting. This method relied on the observed correlation between the stress caused by lying and dryness in the mouth.

Native Americans in North America used arrows of truth, poisoned by the village shaman with a substance that, upon piercing the liar’s skin, would kill them in a very painful manner. Of course, the accused could admit to the crime until the last moment, potentially saving their lives.

The examples above illustrate that stone mouths biting the hand of a liar would not be extraordinary. Any method is effective as long as people believe in it.

The Mouth of Truth from Rome, presumed functions and mysterious stone face

There are several theories regarding the original purpose of the mysterious Mouth of Truth. One of them suggests that the circular bas-relief was part of a massive gate leading to the palace of a wealthy Roman, and the open mouth served as a slot for depositing letters.

In Rome, it was common for people to exchange information and gossip, often anonymously, about neighbours or important personalities in the city.

What was the stone relief and what was its function?

The above thesis is supported by the medieval name Mouth of Truth Bocca della Verita, which was used to refer to public mailboxes intended for denunciations.

Other supposed features are more or less fantastic:

• According to some theories, the Mouth of Truth served as a rainwater collection basin, located in the lowest part of the city.
• Others believe that it might have covered a well in one of the temples where acolytes drew water for religious rituals.
• In ancient manuscripts, there was once information about a beautiful, ruined fountain whose part closely resembled the Mouth of Truth. This is quite plausible, as the face carved in the marble plaque seems worn in a way that flowing water could cause.
• Some researchers argue that the marble Mouth of Truth might have been placed on the wall of a temple and used to announce important information for Rome or answer posed questions.
• Recently, scientists have speculated that the Mouth of Truth could have been part of an altar, through which the gods spoke to the people.
• The last theory is particularly intriguing, suggesting that the stone Mouth of Truth in Rome was a place where the city’s inhabitants made mutual oaths. The person making the promise would place their hand in the opening of the marble medallion, which would tighten on the limb if the one swearing did not intend to keep their word.

As you can see, placing even such an original and unique ancient artifact as the Mouth of Truths in the right place is not easy.

The Mouth of Truth a bas-relief from Rome with the face of a mysterious god carved on it

Indeed, not only has the function of the Mouth of Truth remained veiled over the centuries, but the figure carved into the marble plaque, including the lips, has also faded into obscurity. In numerous writings and scholarly works, various theories attempt to attribute the stone visage of the Mouth of Truth to a particular deity.

• When it comes to the figure depicted on the stone plaque known as the Mouth of Truth, the name most frequently associated with it is Jupiter. In Roman mythology, Jupiter was considered the father of all gods. In ancient Rome, not far from the current location of the Mouth of Truth, there stood a temple dedicated to Jupiter called Jupiter Jurarius (guaranteeing truth). It is speculated that the present Mouth of Truth could have been a part of it.
• Other historians suggest that the visage on the Mouth of Truth belongs to the Greek god of water and the sea, Triton, or one of the Titans associated with water. This is supported by the connection of the stone plaque to water sources in Rome.
• Supporters of the theory that the Mouth of Truth was an ancient lie detector believe that the stern deity’s face in the bas-relief belongs to Mercury, the Roman god of trade, commerce, and thievery.
• On the other hand, some have noticed horns on the stone block and believe that the Mouth of Truth belongs to the Greek deity of fertility and debauchery, Faunus. Faunus was depicted as a bearded figure with the lower body of a goat.

If we have forgotten over the centuries whose face was carved in stone, what else have we missed and what knowledge have we lost irretrievably. Sad right?

Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, where you will find the Mouth of Truth

The Mouth of Truth is currently located in the vestibule of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, in the area of the ancient Forum Boarium at Piazza Bocca della Verita.

This is a Catholic Church used by the Melkites, followers of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Interestingly, the meaning of the word “Cosmedin” has not survived to our times, although it is presumed that it might have meant something beautiful and unique in ancient Greek. Other researchers believe the word may refer to the Kosmidion monastery in Constantinople.

According to the oldest found documents, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin was erected on the ruins of the ancient altar of Hercules, which was used as building material for the temple. The exact date of the construction is unknown, but it is assumed that the temple was built around the 5th or 6th century.

The church served as a sanctuary for Greek monks and refugees from Constantinople from its inception, then later it was handed over to the Greek colony settled in Rome. Over the centuries, the basilica underwent multiple expansions and eventually came under the control of the Melkite order. Most of the church’s furnishings, such as columns and decorations, date back to the 12th century. An interesting feature is the altar, crafted from an ancient water basin, shaped like a tub.

Another curiosity is the relic of Saint Valentine. Supposedly, the gilded reliquary contains the skull of the patron saint of lovers, although this is not entirely certain.

On the left side, before entering the church, the Mouth of Truth is mounted to the wall. It is unknown when and under what circumstances this mysterious bas-relief appeared in the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church. This adds another layer of mystery to the famous ancient artifact.

The Mouth of Truth information and curiosities

• The Mouth of Truth is located in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome at the address: Piazza Bocca della Verita 18.
• The Mouth of Truth is a marble bas-relief in the form of a medallion. It depicts a bearded face with openings for the mouth and eyes.
• The stone medallion has a diameter of 175 centimetres.
• The origin of the monument and its purpose remain unknown to this day.
• The Mouth of Truth has appeared multiple times in movies and television. The most famous film featuring it is “Roman Holiday” from 1953, starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. The scene is quite humorous and accurately reflects how we currently envision the role of the ancient bas-relief.
• According to ancient legends, a person who places their hand in the mouth of the stone figure and tells a lie will lose it. Supposedly, in the Middle Ages, an executioner would hide behind the wall, and if he was convinced that the suspect was lying, he would simply cut off their hand.
• Every day, hundreds of tourists line up in front of the Mouth of Truth, eager to take a photo with their hand inserted into the opening of the mouth of the unknown deity.
• It is presumed that the Mouth of Truth was crafted over 2,000 years ago.
• The Mouth of Truth is one of several well-known attractions in Rome, listed right after the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum.

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