Cöllen, Dieter (1953 - lebt und arbeitete in ... Lot n° 6239

The pyramid of Caius Cestius. Cork model (phelloplastic). 27 x 27 x 18.5 cm. Monogrammed and dated at the bottom of the support plate, titled on the west and east sides: "C(aius) CESTIUS L(ucii) F(ilius) POB(lilia) EPULO PR(aetor) TR(ibunus) PL(ebis) VII VIR EPULONUM" and on one side additionally: "OPUS APSOLUTUM EX TESTAMENTO DIEBUS CCCXXX ARBITRATU PONTI P(ublii) F(ilii) CLA(udia) MELAE HEREDIS ET POTHI L(iberti) (20)18. The tomb of the praetor and high-ranking priest Caius Cestius (before 12 B.C.) clearly refers back to the already 2500 year old tradition of Egyptian antiquities at that time. It may not have been the only Roman tomb of this kind, but it is the only one that has been preserved and illustrates the Oriental enthusiasm that emanated from Egypt. The Cestius pyramid welcomed travellers to Rome who approached the city from the south via the Via Ostiense and passed through the Porta San Paolo.