Arthur Abbott (British, 1804–1843) The Monument of Gaius Cestius, Rome inscribed with title and dated lower right 'Roma 19.th Jan.y' watercolour on paper 26.5 x 19cm Footnote: The Pyramid of Cestius was built as a tomb for Gaius Cestius, an affluent politician and member of the religious corporation of the Septemviri Epulonum. Cestius requested in his will that his heirs erect a pyramid-shaped funeral monument within 330 days of his death, otherwise they would lose their inheritance. The pyramid was built during the reign of the emperor Augustus, probably between 18 and 12 BC and stands 120 feet high.