Certainly, Rome is famous for its grand fountains (like the Trevi Fountain), for basilicas built over the tombs of famous saints (like the St. Peter's Basilica), or for the Colosseum, just to name a random monument. But the Eternal City also has something else, something unexpected, at our latitudes. In fact, here in Rome, it is possible to admire a pyramid, although of more modest dimensions compared to those in Egypt. Why? Follow your local tour guide to discover more about this unusual monument.

In the photo, you see the wonderful Pyramid of Cestius, its official name. Built around 12 BC at the behest of a noble Roman, Gaius Cestius Epulo, who, following the royal footsteps of the ancient pharaohs, wanted to find a worthy burial after his death, this Pyramid not only indicates how obsessed the Romans of the time were with Egypt! It was only recently that the African territory had been conquered, with all its charm and mystery deriving from the millennial culture and civilization of Egypt. After the turbulent years of the union, not only political, between Mark Antony and Cleopatra, it was the young Octavian who prevailed, defeating the army of the two lovers and officially subjugating Egypt. Just as today, even two millennia ago, the land of the pharaohs exerted a considerable charm, especially on those ancient Romans who had a culture, religiosity, and spirituality different from the Egyptian one. It is not surprising, therefore, that following the subjugation of Egypt, Rome was literally invaded by artifacts from that area. Artifacts, which became ornamenta, that became popular in the Urbe, especially among the higher social strata. And there were those who even had a tomb built in pure Egyptian style, just as if they were in front of a pharaoh. It is also curious to note that there is a very particular original inscription that can still be seen on one side of the Pyramid. We read, in fact, that according to the will of Gaius Cestius Epulo, the tomb was to be completed within 330 days under penalty of the heirs losing the entire inheritance. In particular, the inscription says “opus absolutum ex testamento diebus CCCXXX, arbitratu (L.) Ponti P. f. Cla (udia tribu), Melae heredis et Pothi l(iberti)”. Needless to say, the funerary monument was indeed completed in time. The Pyramid of Cestius, moreover, due to its peculiarity, has become a symbol of Rome, also for being incorporated into the Aurelian Walls. It would have been a shame to destroy it to build Rome's defenses, and circumventing it would have cost a surplus in terms of effort and costs. Better to exploit its mass, and the fact that the surfaces of the funerary monument were smooth and not suitable for climbing, thus obtaining further advantages. Moreover, many stories and legends arose having the Pyramid as their object. In the Middle Ages, in fact, it was believed that this strange funerary monument was the so-called Meta Remi, that is, the tomb of Remus. Petrarch himself mentions it in one of his epistles. It is not so, but it is symptomatic to understand how central the Pyramid of Cestius was in the life of the Urbe. What many do not know, however, is how it is possible to enter this special tomb, thus trying to understand what the internal burial chamber must have really been like. Unfortunately, however, practically nothing remains of what was originally there, starting with the nobleman's sarcophagus. As evidenced by the large hole that can be seen on a wall of the pyramid, over the centuries it has been one of the favorite targets of tomb raiders and treasure hunters, who dug a tunnel, especially in medieval times, to seize all the precious jewels that were probably kept here. The large hole today is positioned very high compared to the normal walking level simply because the Pyramid of Cestius, like many other buildings of the Roman era, was partially covered and buried by debris and various sediments. Therefore, access to the Pyramid in the Middle Ages was higher than the original level. 

Not only that, as there are other testimonies left by people who, out of interest or curiosity, have seen or visited the Pyramid of Cestius. I am talking about the numerous graffiti that are still visible along the inner walls, graffiti or paintings dating back to periods well after ancient Rome. A small jewel that, despite everything, still manages to show the opulence, and also the originality, of some wealthy men of the Roman era.