The pyramid tomb of Gaius Cestius, the Ara Pacis, and the Mausoleum of Augustus
Today we visited the pyramid tomb of Gaius Cestius and the Ara Pacis of Augustus. We were granted special permission to go into the pyramid and see the third style frescoes on the interior. The third style incorporates domestic details, such as the candle sticks that are in this tomb.
After the pyramid, we visited the Ara Pacis. Augustus had the Ara Pacis built between 13 and 9 BCE. The Ara Pacis, literally “Altar of Augustan Peace,” was a tribute to Augustus’ reign. It depicts scenes that link Augustus to the two founding myths of Rome. It has a repeated theme of fertility and growth that Augustus sought to promote within his empire. It is the most important Augustan monument.
The Mausoleum of Augustus was a very opulent tomb, begun in 28 BCE. On either side of the entrance, there were two inscribed pillars that were a copy of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, which was Augustus’ own account of his feats in battle and his accomplishments as emperor.
Chelsea and Rosie 
(The pyramid was an unlikely sight, rising above the streets of modern Rome.)
(The interior of the pyramid was surprisingly small given the monument’s size;
for the record, I must say that Sam is a professional photobomber.)
(Oddly, the tomb of Cestius shared the same address as a cat sanctuary.)
(The front two panels of the Ara Pacis show the two foundation myths of Rome, with that of Romulus and Remus on the left and that of Aeneas on the right.)
(The best preserved panel depicted Augustus’ vision of prosperity for Rome.)
(Unfortunately we were unable to access the Mausoleum of Augustus.)
William Skinner
