Built almost 2000 years ago, the Pyramid of Cestius in Rome is the only Egyptian pyramid in Europe. The pyramid is one of the most interesting structures of Roman architecture and its construction story goes back to the times when the Egypt-craze took over Rome.

Rome conquered Egypt in 30 BCE when Octavius defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra at Actium. While 18 years prior to that Ceasar had a battle in Egypt, the battle at Actium made Egypt an official province of Rome. Following the war, interest and admiration for all things Egyptian greatly increased among the Romans.

world_walkerz

The soldiers who went to battle in Egypt, the commanders, senators, and wealthy men alike fell in love with the Egyptian culture and especially buildings. The pyramids, obelisks, sculptures, and temples of Egypt fascinated them. In the following years, replicas of these structures started to appear in Rome as well.
One of these structures was the Pyramid of Cestius. It was designed as a tomb for Gaius Cestius, a praetor, and a member of one of Rome’s strongest religious corporations. While it is not certain, the fact that Cestius wanted a pyramid for a tomb indicates that he may have taken place in the battles in Egypt.

Annalisa

The inscriptions in the column near the Pyramid of Cestius confirm the identity of the tomb’s resident as Gaius Cestius. The long lines of inscriptions also tell that the tomb was completed in 330 days.

loli5319

Althoug...