Cloacīna

, a godde at Rome, who presided over the Cloacæ. Some suppose her to be Venus, whose statue was found in the Cloacæ , whence the name. The Cloacæ were large receptacles for the filth and dung of the whole city, begun by Tarquin the elder, and finished by Tarquin the Proud. They were built all under the city; so that, according to an expre ion of Pliny, Rome seemed to be suspended between heaven and earth. The building was so strong, and the stones so large, that though they were continually washed by impetuous torrents, they remained unhurt during above 700 years. There were public officers chosen to take care of the Cloacæ, called Curatores Cloacarum urb is . Livy , bk. 3 , ch. 48 .— Pliny , bk. 5 , ch. 29 .