Monumental mausoleum of Augustus: from greatness to ruins

The majestic Rome, which has not grown old in its thousand-year history, beckons to all who yearn to touch eternity. A longevity among the cities will amaze with its splendor and inspire with a wonderful mix of ancient monuments and modern beauty. As the Romans say, life is not enough to get acquainted with all the sights of the charming capital of Italy.

Mausoleum of August - the oldest building in the world

Today's story will go about the monument of the greatest state of antiquity. Built by the mighty emperor, the tomb is one of the oldest structures in the world, and it is not possible to get inside it, as it is closed by the authorities for visits.

The huge mausoleum of Augustus in Ancient Rome appeared in the I century BC and throughout its history was subjected to various transformations until the moment when the government of the country decided to reconstruct an important monument for the descendants.

The decision to build a tomb

After the victory in the battles in Egypt, Emperor Augustus returned to Rome with a firm decision to build himself and his close mausoleum - the place of the last rest. It is believed that the golden sarcophagus of Alexander the Great in Alexandria made an indelible impression on him. In addition, according to the testimony of contemporaries, the ruler was not distinguished for strong health and early began to think about death. The official date for the beginning of the construction of the tomb, located in the heart of the Champs de Mars, is 28 years before Christ.

Complex architectural work

The mausoleum of Augustus was in the form of Etruscan burial grounds, that is, it was a conical structure. On the lower structure in the form of a cylinder with a diameter of 87 meters, there were five tiers. There was also a 44-meter high pillar on top of which there was a bronze sculpture of the emperor. The concrete base, lined with a light stone, was a veritable labyrinth consisting of communicating rooms and corridors. The passage led to the inner wall, in which niches were the urns with the ashes of the emperor, his relatives and other figures of ancient Rome.

What else was inside the tomb?

On the south side, the only entrance was cut down, near which were two stelae of red granite, brought from Egypt. Symbolized the victory of Augustus over Cleopatra and Antony, they were installed following the example of the tombs of the pharaohs, which distinguished from other structures of this kind the mausoleum of Augustus in Ancient Rome. Photographs of the obelisks currently located in Quirinale and Esquilino squares, which are important sights of the Italian capital, are surely made by all tourists, admiring their modest beauty.

Nearby stood bronze plates that appeared after the death of the ruler. They described the life path of the great politician and the deeds committed by the emperor for his people. One can only admire the talent of ancient masters, painstakingly carved letters on metal.

At the level of the base of the stone tomb was an earthen cone with planted evergreen cypresses.

A hint at unlimited power

Simultaneously reminiscent of a modest mound and a magnificent tomb, the mausoleum of Augustus was an incredibly complex architectural structure consisting of five concentric walls, to the north of which was a beautiful park where Romans walked. According to the researchers, even in the name of the monumental monument, a hint is read of the unlimited power of the ruler, with great respect for Alexander the Great.

Death of the great ruler

Curiously, but the mausoleum of Augustus in Rome began functioning long before the death of the emperor. The first was found by his nephew Marcellus, an eternal rest, then the ruler buried his beloved friend and companion Agrippa and sister Octavia. In the same place rested early grandchildren of a politician. In August 14 AD at the age of 75 years, the founder of the Roman Empire in the city of Nola died. For several days the soldiers mourning their ruler carried the corpse at night, so that the body did not decompose prematurely. The senators, for whom Augustus's departure was a huge blow, offered their variants of a funeral event, where all residents could say goodbye to the "father of the fatherland".

The funeral took place in a solemn atmosphere, and the body of the emperor was burned at the stake near the mausoleum, after which his ashes were installed in the center of the tomb.

Legend of the last desire of the emperor

There is a beautiful legend about the last desire of Augustus. The dying ruler ordered all residents arriving in Rome from other cities to bring with them a handful of their native land and leave it on the tomb so that the memory of the emperor could live forever. For many years, the close connection of the monumental monument with the name of a successful politician has not been interrupted.

The fate of the mausoleum

Unfortunately, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the majestic mausoleum of Augustus was plundered by the tribes of the Visigoths, who destroyed all the urns with ashes. In the Middle Ages, a noble Roman family turned him into a fortress that was destroyed after the expulsion of the dynasty from the city. For many years, wandering artists performed on the ruins, and they chose the burial place as a free site. Only in the 20s of the last century archeological excavations began, and the mausoleum of Augustus (Rome) was finally released from the earth layers. Photo of the ruins and now transmit the amazing power of the structure, survived for centuries the history of fame and oblivion.

Today you can not get into the partially restored mausoleum, but you can admire the ancient burial vault of the emperor on the Piazza Augusto Imperatore square with the same name.