Pyramid of Caius Cestius — Attraction in Rome

Pyramid Di C. Cestio Limited access: Open 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month.

At the end of the I century BC, the heirs of Gaio Cestio Epulone, probably identified with the praetor of 44BC, had an impressive funerary monument built for him in 330 days (as remembered in the inscriptions on the West and East façades).

It was shaped as a pyramid, following an exotic taste become widespread in Rome after the conquer of Egypt (31 BC).

The Pyramid, located along Via Ostiense, placed within a still visible fence of turf blocs, is erected on a concrete square basement covered in travertine blocs, whose side measures mt. 29.50; the Pyramid's height, as well in concrete, is mt. 36.40, and covered with white marble slabs.

On the West side are two basements for the bronze statutes of the dead man: as specified in the inscriptions, the statues were financed with the proceeds of the sale of tapestries which could not be placed inside the cell; in fact, a sumptuary law, promulgated in 18 BC by Agrippa, son-in-law of Augustus, prohibited luxury items in the tombs.

The inner cell, accessible through a corridor build on the West side in the Modern Age, measures mt. 4 x 5.80, and probably contained the dead man's urn, now lost.

The walls of the cell, barrel-vaulted, have a brickwork face (one of the first examples of this kind of masonry technique in Rome) covered in plaster.

The frescos on the plaster walls consist of monochrome squares on white background parted by chandeliers; at the centre are four feminine figures, standing or sitting, alternated with vases of various kinds (the so-called "third Pompeian style").

On the vault are 4 winged Victories and at the centre maybe the portrait of the dead man; on the background wall there is the niche which probably housed the urn.

The cell was plundered in the Middle Ages through the opening of a tunnel, visible in one of the corners of the Pyramid.

In the III century AD the Pyramid. was incorporated in the Aurelian Walls, and in the Middle Ages was known as Meta Remi, in association with a similar monument in the rione Borgo, known as Meta Romuly.

In the first years of 1600 Antonio Bosio visited the Pyramid. The first excavations to bring to light the whole building, wanted by pope Alessandro VII, date back to 1663; nowadays entry dates back to those days.

During the years, the Pyramid was visited by numerous visitors, as attested by the great number of inscriptions and signatures visible on the walls...

The Pyramid of Cestius is one of Rome’s most intriguing landmarks, blending ancient Roman innovation with Egyptian inspiration. Built around 12 BCE, this 36-meter-high marble-clad pyramid was the tomb of Gaius Cestius, a Roman magistrate who likely sought to showcase his wealth and fascination with Egyptian culture, which had become fashionable after Rome’s conquest of Egypt. Its steep design, resembling Nubian pyramids rather than the more familiar structures at Giza, reflects the eclectic tastes of Roman elites during the early imperial period. The pyramid is remarkably well-preserved, a testament to Roman engineering and the material durability of its Carrara marble cladding. Its surface bears inscriptions detailing its purpose as Cestius’s tomb and noting that construction was completed within 330 days—a reflection of Roman efficiency and architectural expertise. The decision to incorporate such a foreign style into the heart of Rome exemplifies how the city embraced cultural elements from across its empire, blending them into its own monumental traditions. Later, during the 3rd century CE, the Pyramid of Cestius was incorporated into the Aurelian Walls, adding a defensive function to its commemorative purpose. This integration not only preserved the monument but also highlights the pragmatic adaptability of Roman urban planning. Its proximity to the Protestant Cemetery—where notable figures like poet John Keats are buried—adds another layer of historical resonance to the site, connecting ancient and more...

PYRAMID of ROME....not PYRAMID of EGYPT! Yes that's true! At first i couldn't believe that such architecture exists in Rome. From childhood i only learned about from Egypt :-) In my opinion the difference between the two are: the distance of attraction from the spectator and the environmental conditions. The pyramids in Egypt captivate the onlookers' curiosity right from far distance and the pyramids stand tall free all alone in a vast plain without turmoils and no massive environmental pollution compared to this Pyramid built here in Rome which stands not free but integral part of the old wall of the cemetery and directly in the middle of the busy streets and in worst case it is exposed in every second by the polluted combustion of gasses emitted by all kinds of vehicles passing by besides the pyramid! It's a pity! a shame :-( Actually the location didn't fit for this beautiful work of historical art! Few meters away from the Pyramid is this small old Fortress used today as a Museum. So there are two different architectural designs standing close to each other which looks annoying to the eyes. However, it's there and we can't do anything more as tourists but still admire its ...