If either of the Vestal virgins had neglected her duty, or violated her vows, nothing could save her from the dreadful death of being buried alive. […] The Sun having sworn to grant whatever Phaeton should ask, could not refuse. […] The tribunal stood in a place called the Field of Truth, which falsehood and calumny could never approach. […] She infested the country round Thebes, proposing enigmas to passengers, and tearing to pieces the unhappy wretches who could not answer them. […] A man could not grasp its thumb with his two arms.