These statues came to be known as the talking statues of Rome or the Congregation of Wits.
Nicholas wasnt exactly a bad pope.
He strengthened fortifications, restored aqueducts, and rebuilt many churches.
He ordered design plans for what would eventually be the Basilica of St. Peter.
The Roman populace, however, couldnt appreciate his work, and conspired to overthrow the papal government.
When Nicholas discovered the plot, he arrested the conspirators and had them hanged.
In this way Pasquino became the first talking statue of Rome.
Instead, strict laws were enforced and Pasquino was placed under surveillance.
This had the unintended consequence of people turning to other statues.
To add zest to the lampooning of the popes, both statues began totalk to each other.
To Marforios question: Hey, Pasquino, why is your shirt so dirty?
You look like a coal merchant!
Pasquino replied, What can I do?
My washerwoman has been made a princess!
Pasquinade is an actual word today, used not only in Italy but throughout the world.
The people of Rome called the figure babuino because they considered it ugly and deformed, like a monkey.
Photo credit:Lalupa/Wikimedia
One of the six talking statues, the bust of Madama Lucrezia is enormous.
The statue is badly disfigured, but it probably represents the Egyptian goddess Isis.
It is the last talking statue of Rome.
