| The Pyramid of Gaius Cestius was built in | | | | road on one side, and a Protestant Cemetery on the |
| approximately 12 B.C. under the reign of emperor | | | | other. |
| Augustus, previously known as Octavian. The | | | | In addition to its role in Roman history, the Pyramid |
| pyramid was built as a tomb for Gaius Cestius Epulo, | | | | of Gaius Cestius has played a role in the development |
| who was a member of the Roman collegium, | | | | of European art. Compared to the actual Egyptian |
| Septemviri Epulonum, which was a religious, legal | | | | pyramids the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius was built to |
| group. The tomb’s design was of Egyptian | | | | be much more steep. The only location in Europe |
| influence, which can largely be attributed to the | | | | throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance to see |
| conquest of Egypt by emperor Augustus only 18 | | | | a pyramid was in Rome and because of this the vast |
| years prior to the construction of the tomb. | | | | majority of the depictions of the Egyptian pyramids |
| The tomb itself was constructed out of brick-faced | | | | throughout this time period show the pyramids with |
| concrete, and was covered in slabs of white marble. | | | | the Roman dimensions. |
| The entirety of the pyramid was situated on a | | | | To this day, the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius remains in |
| travertine foundation. The base of the tomb was 30 | | | | excellent condition, including the original inscription on |
| meters by 30 meters wide and was nearly 37 | | | | the Eastern edge of the pyramid, which states: |
| meters tall. The pyramid was sealed shut when | | | | “C. Cestius L.F. Pob. Epulo pr. tr.pl. |
| originally built, however was reopened in 1660 and | | | | VII vir epulonum |
| was found to contain a single burial chamber which | | | | Opus apsolutum ex testamento diebus CCCXXX |
| was 5.95 meters long, 4.10 meters wide, and 4.80 | | | | arbitratu |
| meters high. The majority of the contents of the | | | | L. Ponti P.F. Cla. Melae heredis et Pothi L.” |
| tomb have since been stolen and nothing remains | | | | Which means: |
| except faded paintings which cover the inside of the | | | | “Gaius Cestius Epulo, son of Lucius, of the |
| burial chamber. | | | | Poblilian district, praetor, tribune of the people, official |
| The pyramid is located in the southern part of Rome | | | | of the public banquets. According to his will, this work |
| and was incorporated into the construction of the | | | | was completed in 330 days, and executed by his |
| Aurelian Walls, which were built around 270 A.D. In | | | | heirs L. Pontus Mela, son of Publius, of the Claudian |
| modern times, the pyramid is adjacent to a busy | | | | district, and his freedman Pothus. |