Pasquino, like Marforio, is an ancient statue which achieved special significance as a 'Talking Statue' of Rome during the last several hundred years. It is a heavily worn and beaten classical torso of Menelaus, a mythical king of Sparta, from the third century BC, dug up during the repair of a street in the late 1400s. It was installed at its present location by a cardinal in 1501. Soon thereafter small poems or epigrams critical of religious and civil authorities began to be posted on it, and similar satirical responses were posted on Marforio. Thus began a tradition of posting satirical political commentary on the statues which anonymously critiqued government and religious leaders through an alleged conversation between the two (and subsequently more) Talking Statues.

    

The Pasquino, a Talkling Statue of Rome, one block west from the southern end of Piazza Navona
See all Pasquino photos.

    

The Pasquino, a Talkling Statue of Rome, one block west from the southern end of Piazza Navona
See all Pasquino photos.

    

The Pasquino, a Talkling Statue of Rome, one block west from the southern end of Piazza Navona
See all Pasquino photos.

    

The Pasquino, a Talkling Statue of Rome, one block west from the southern end of Piazza Navona
See all Pasquino photos.

• My Pasquino photos
• A Statue Gives Romans a Voice: 2021, Rome, Italy