The Piramide di Caio Cestio is an ancient burial building located at the Porta San Paolo in Rome. It is notable for its size and Egyptian architecture, reflecting the Egyptian fashion that spread to Rome in 30 BC after the conquest of Egypt. The building has a base of 29.50 meters by 36.40 meters high and is completely covered with marble slabs. It was built between 18 B.C. and 12 B.C.
The name of Caius Cestius is mentioned in an inscription on the eastern side of the pyramid. Caius Cestius was a Roman citizen, son of Lucius, belonging to the Poblilia tribe. The inscription also lists some of his titles and positions, including “praetor” (“civil magistrate with responsibility for the administration of justice), tribune of the plebs” (magistrate who patronized the interests of the Roman plebs), and “settemviro of the epulons” (priest of the college responsible for organizing banquets for the gods) These offices were important in Roman public life, with the praetor who had legal and administrative responsibilities, the tribune of the plebs who defended the interests of the plebs, and the settemviro of the purgers who was a priest responsible for organizing ritual banquets for the gods.
The construction of the pyramid dates from 18 to 12 BC, and it is believed that Caius Cestius, whose name is associated with the monument, was an important figure of the time. However, some of Caius Cestius’ wills could not be fulfilled because of a law prohibiting luxury in burials, enacted in 18 B.C., and therefore some of the deceased’s objects could not be deposited in the tomb, but they were sold to finance the creation of two bronze statues in his honor.
The burial chamber of the pyramid was decorated with paintings of standing or seated female figures and winged Victories that perhaps referred to the apotheosis of Caius Cestius. This decoration is an early example of the so-called “third style” pictorial Roman.
Over time, the pyramid was incorporated into the Aurelian Wall in the 3rd century and became part of the city’s defensive system along with nearby Porta Ostiensis and is incorporated into the perimeter of the Non-Catholic Cemetery.
Several restorations have occurred over time in 2001 that of the burial cell by the Archaeological Superintendence of Rome and a further restoration began in 2012 and was completed in 2015.
ADDRESS
Via Raffaele Persichetti
CONTACTS
The Piramide di Caio Cestio is an ancient burial building located at the Porta San Paolo in Rome. It is notable for its size and Egyptian architecture, reflecting the Egyptian fashion that spread to Rome in 30 BC after the conquest of Egypt. The building has a base of 29.50 meters by 36.40 meters high and is completely covered with marble slabs. It was built between 18 B.C. and 12 B.C.
The name of Caius Cestius is mentioned in an inscription on the eastern side of the pyramid. Caius Cestius was a Roman citizen, son of Lucius, belonging to the Poblilia tribe. The inscription also lists some of his titles and positions, including “praetor” (“civil magistrate with responsibility for the administration of justice), tribune of the plebs” (magistrate who patronized the interests of the Roman plebs), and “settemviro of the epulons” (priest of the college responsible for organizing banquets for the gods) These offices were important in Roman public life, with the praetor who had legal and administrative responsibilities, the tribune of the plebs who defended the interests of the plebs, and the settemviro of the purgers who was a priest responsible for organizing ritual banquets for the gods.
The construction of the pyramid dates from 18 to 12 BC, and it is believed that Caius Cestius, whose name is associated with the monument, was an important figure of the time. However, some of Caius Cestius’ wills could not be fulfilled because of a law prohibiting luxury in burials, enacted in 18 B.C., and therefore some of the deceased’s objects could not be deposited in the tomb, but they were sold to finance the creation of two bronze statues in his honor.
The burial chamber of the pyramid was decorated with paintings of standing or seated female figures and winged Victories that perhaps referred to the apotheosis of Caius Cestius. This decoration is an early example of the so-called “third style” pictorial Roman.
Over time, the pyramid was incorporated into the Aurelian Wall in the 3rd century and became part of the city’s defensive system along with nearby Porta Ostiensis and is incorporated into the perimeter of the Non-Catholic Cemetery.
Several restorations have occurred over time in 2001 that of the burial cell by the Archaeological Superintendence of Rome and a further restoration began in 2012 and was completed in 2015.
ADDRESS
Via Raffaele Persichetti
CONTACTS
Sito web: soprintendenzaspecialeroma.it/schede/piramide-di-caio-cestio_3006/
Telefono: 06 5743193
How to get there: (we have chosen public transport)
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TEL: +39 06 48 49 17
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