Piramide Cestia

The Pyramid of Cestius is a Roman funerary monument beside Porta San Paolo. Its steep white-marble faces contrast with the brick fortifications that later incorporated the tomb into the Aurelian Walls.

Why it matters

The monument reflects Roman interest in Egyptian forms during the late first century BC. Its reuse within the city defences gave a private tomb a very different role in the urban landscape.

What to notice

Lunense marble slabs cover the pyramid's exterior. Inscriptions name Gaius Cestius and record his public and religious offices, together with a 330-day construction requirement. The small barrel-vaulted burial chamber preserves painted decoration with winged figures. The junction with the Aurelian masonry makes the later defensive incorporation visible.

Context and history

The tomb was built between 18 and 12 BC and became part of the third-century walls. Medieval tradition associated it with Remus, a different identity from that recorded in the inscriptions. A modern restoration, financed principally by Japanese businessman Yuzo Yagi and completed in 2015, conserved the marble surfaces. The project received a European Heritage Award in 2017.