The Mausoleum of Augustus

Augustus built a huge complex in the area of Rome called the Campus Martius. It housed the Ara Pacis (temple of peace) of which I haven't yet got any photo's coz they've been building a visitor centre around it for the last 5 years; a huge sundial, and his own tomb. Following its completion Augustus lived for another 41 years so its first occupant was in fact his nephew, Marcellus. The tomb was used to house the ashes of emperors up to the time of Nerva. This tomb was a massive political statement made by Augustus at the height of his power. The building is so robust that it has survived being ransacked by the Goths, fortification and destruction at least twice, being turned into a bullring, and most recently, in the early 20th Century, it was used as a circus. As well as Augustus himself some very famous names from Roman History were buried here including: Caius Caesar, Tiberius, Agrippina the Elder, Nero, and Caligula.

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