Caesar’s Grave
Where is Julius Caesar buried?
Right in the Roman Forum.
To be more accurate, the grave site actually marks the ruins of the Temple of Caesar. Caesar was cremated and thus has no grave or tomb, but people still leave flowers and notes on the altar.
It’s easy to miss if you’re exploring the Foro Romano alone because it’s located behind a low wall. Keep an eye out for it next time you visit Rome!












8 Comments
That’s like a classic Italian historic site. Not just because it has unbelievable history, but because modern Italians are apparently so used to it being there that they don’t take any particular care of it. Or make a big deal out of it.
Have you ever seen Napoleon’s tomb? I know he died a little more recently, but my God – that is like the craziest 7-part casket-tomb of all time. King Tut is rolling over in his sarcophagus, he’s so jealous.
[…] Flowers left at Caesar’s grave, 2011;credit An American in Rome. […]
you would think this would be in a guidebook or something like that. maybe as you wrote italians are used to it so they dont think much of it, after all it has been over 2000 years ago that this happened, but at least we mark where our people of this country have marked our leaders graves, John Kennedy, Lincoln. and so on. But they dont let you know where Romes most famous man is buried thats a good one. well have fun if your going and say a prayer for the dead,
The thing is, this probably isn’t Caesar’s tomb, hence the lack of publicity. Cassius Dio tells us that his ashes were gathered up by his freedmen after the funeral and taken to the family tomb, which may have been the tomb of his daughter Julia, outside the city on the Campus Martius.
A couple of sources do suggest that Caesar’s ashes were buried right in the forum itself (Nicolaus of Damascus, possibly Cicero), but it’s by no means definite.
Interesting! Thanks for that info
I visited Rome and the forum, St. Peter’s basilica and the colesium with a fabulous guide called Fabio. He told us everything and it was awesome, just by walking around the forum in particular it didn’t look much but he explained everything, not many nitices up to explain so don’t even think of going without Fabio or another guide, it makes it. Other people were listening to him telling us about the places, we felt privileged but well worth the money.
Hi Jillian!
Sounds like you had an amazing time! I think that guides are definitely worth it for the forum in particular, as you mention. There is so much history there but it can be hard to know what you are looking at!
[…] March: We have Julius Caesar to thank for moving the new year to January 1st. The Romans used to celebrate the New […]