It goes without saying that pyramids are first and foremost associated with their birthplace, Ancient Egypt. Nonetheless, these geometrically simple structures have inspired countless replicas all over the world, including in the Roman Empire. While the Pyramid of Caius Cestius is nowhere near the scale of its Egyptian counterparts, it is the only building of its kind in Europe and, as such, offers a fascinating glimpse into Rome’s bygone era.
By: Omri Westmark
Date: 02:29 27.12.22
Last Update: 11:44 31.12.24
While it was the Roman Empire that conquered Egypt in 30 B.C., the latter’s cultural heritage managed to trickle significantly into the former’s daily life in the aftermath of its victory. Perhaps among the most prominent vestiges of the ‘all things Egyptian’ trend across the empire is the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, located at the busy intersection of Via Ostiense and Via Raffaele Persichetti in modern-day Rome.
Made of bricks and concrete and entirely covered with white marble cladding, the structure was built between 18 and 12 B.C. as a mausoleum for Caius Cestius, a high-ranking Roman official who was both a praetor and a religious cleric. Determined to ensure the construction of his lavish tomb, Cestius conditioned the bequeathing of his property on the completion of the pyramid-shaped building. In fact, one of the pyramid’s faces is inscribed with an explicit instruction that the construction should last no more than 330 days if the heirs wish to redeem their inheritance.
Dwarfed by its Egyptian counterparts, Cestius’s pyramid stands just 36 meters tall, with a square base, each side measuring 30 meters. Beneath the thick layer of sleek marble, concrete, and bricks lies a barrel-vaulted burial chamber, where the wealthy magistrate was once interred. Over the centuries, the tomb, along with its vividly frescoed walls, was plundered, likely by looters who accessed the chamber via an underground passageway. Originally situated on the outskirts of town, the structure was eventually incorporated into the Aurelian Walls as the city expanded, functioning as a formidable rampart.
Due to the pyramid’s pointed tip and relatively sharp angles, several speculations have arisen about its true source of inspiration. Some argue that a misrepresentation of Egyptian pyramids in Roman culture led to the modified design, while others claim the building was modeled after the Nubian pyramids, which tend to have steeper sides.
Apparently, the Pyramid of Caius Cestius wasn’t the only building of its type in ancient Rome. A larger pyramid once stood next to Vatican City. Known as the Pyramid of Romulus, the structure was razed to the ground, and its much-coveted marble was used for the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica. Before its unfortunate end, the pair of Roman pyramids were mistakenly believed to be the burial sites of Romulus and Remus, the fabled founders of Rome.
Up until 2015, access to the Pyramid of Caius Cestius’s burial chamber was completely restricted. Today, the tomb can be visited via a guided tour (must be booked in advance) on the third and fourth Sundays and Saturdays of every month.
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
