It is one of the most curious monuments in Rome, a pyramid-shaped tomb which was naturally inspired by the Egyptian ones. It belonged to Caius Cestius, as we know from the inscriptions on the east and west sides; he held the position of Epulone, that is, he organized ritual banquets (lettisterni) in honor of the most important gods such as Jupiter.

After the Roman conquest, Egypt with its cults and art became very popular, because they had an oriental and exotic charm that still lasts today. The very rich province of Egypt was the personal property of the emperor.

The Pyramid of Cestius was built along the Via Ostiense in the first century B.C. (between 18 and 12 BC) in little less than one year, because if the heirs had not completed it within 330 days they would have lost the rich inheritance, as explained by another inscription on the façade.

The pyramid had a square base (30 x 30 m i.e. 100 x 100 Roman feet) and is 36 m high. It was built in concrete and masonry and rested on a high base of cement and travertine, currently underground. It had four free standing columns at the corners. The cladding is made with rectangular slabs of white marble from Luni, i.e. Carrara marble.

The entrance towards the via Ostiense, which was later walled up, had a corridor (dromos). Other tunnels were dug in ancient times and during the Renaissance to reach the burial chamber and rob it of its treasures.

The burial chamber is rectangular, covered by a barrel vault and still has the original frescoes of the third Pompeian style. The walls are white with panels separated by candelabra, decorated with figurines of winged Victories, vases and female figures.

Four larger winged Victories also decorate the ceiling which in the center must have had a fresco perhaps depicting the deceased, but is not visible anymore.

In late antiquity the Pyramid was transformed into a defensive tower and inserted into the new Aurelian walls with the Porta Ostiense: this saved it from destruction.

In fact there were other pyramids in Rome, but they were all destroyed because they were considered pagan symbols or more simply to make way for something else. For example, the pyramid that existed in the Vatican area was demolished by Pope Alexander VI to build the Borgo road.