The 36 meter about 120 feet high pyramid was built as a tomb for a wealthy roman under the sway of all things egyptian. Piramide cestia, roma, archaeological sites tickets. The inscription on it mentions that cestius was a praetor, a tribune of the plebs, and a septemvir of the epulones. The pyramid of caius cestius is an 18 th century drawing by an unknown artist. Who then was cestius and what is he to me amid thick thoughts and memories multitudinous.
Inspired by the egyptian pyramids, quite fashionable in rome during the augustan age, that of caius cestius is the only surviving example of roman pyramids. A quick history of the pyramid of caius cestius discover. More than 4,000 years after their construction, the pyramids still stand as. Actually, after the conquest of egypt in 31 bc, the fashion of funeral buildings in that period was very influenced by the egypt tradition. Pyramid of cestius and environs by giuseppe vasi 18th century the pyramid was built for gaius cestius epulo, the son of lucius, of the tribe of pobilia. It has been restored, clarified, and brightened to create a beautiful image that would be perfect for junk journals, illustrated planners, scrapbooks, or any other visual product. C aius cestius l ucii f ilius epulo nius pob lilia praetor tribune plebeians september vir epulorum which meant that gaius cestius epulo, son of lucius, praetor, tribune of the plebs, septemvir epulonum. The pyramid of cestius is mostly intact and bears a number of inscriptions. An oxford archaeological guide by amanda claridge, the tomb was built in. Francesco gasparetti creative commons more rome famous landmarks view larger map the pyramid of cestius is a 2,000 year old pyramid that stands close to the porta san paolo in rome.
A quick history of the pyramid of caius cestius in rome address. It has remained in remarkably good condition because it was used as part of the citys fortifications. It measures 22m72ft on each side and is 27m89ft high. The pyramid, which dates from 12 bce, was built as the tomb for gaius cestius. Piramide cestia, via raffaele persichettivia caio cestioviale del campo boario out of all the ancient remains in rome, none is more bizarre than the pyramid of caius cestius, which separates the ostiense and testaccio districts. Its particular form is an expression the egyptian style which spread to rome following its conquest of egypt in 30 bc. The egyptian pyramids are some of the most incredible manmade structures in history. Little is known about the man who may have once been buried here.
Pyramid of cestius ancient ruins, tourist attractions in. The pyramid of cestius port mobility civitavecchia. The pyramid of cestius was most likely built between 18 and 12 bc. Roman ruins with the pyramid of cestius giovanni paolo panini louvre mi 873. The pyramid of cestius in italian, piramide di caio cestio or piramide cestia is an ancient pyramid in rome, italy, near the porta san paolo and the protestant cemetery. Piramide cestia rome 2020 all you need to know before. And so the pyramid of cestius was built in 12 bc as a tomb for gaius cestius with memorial inscriptions.
This pyramid was built between the years 18 and 12 bc as a tomb for caius cestius, a magistrate, tribune of the pleb and member of the religious corporation of the septemviri epulonum. The pyramid of cestius is the only monument of its kind in rome. The cemetery also has a cat sanctuary in the grounds. The burial chamber is presented with barrel vaults and it was originally walled.