Rome - Pyramid of Cestius

(Local Name: Piramide di Caio Cestio) The Pyramid of Cestius, more steeply pitched than the Egyptian pyramids on which it was modeled, was built in 12-11 B.C. as the tomb of Caius Cestius, who had been praetor, tribune of the people and one of the Septemviri Epulones (the committee of seven which organized religious festival banquets). It was later incorporated, together with the Porta San Paolo (the ancient Porta Ostiense), in the Aurelian Walls.

The pyramid, 22m/72ft square and 27m/89ft high, is faced with Carrara marble and was built, as the inscription records, within the space of 330 days. The tip of the pyramid is said to have originally been gilded. It contains a tomb chamber measuring 6x4m/20x13ft. A similar tomb stood near the Castel Sant'Angelo until the early 16th century.