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Mausoleums

The mausoleum was built during the rule of Emperor Hadrian in 139 C.E.  It was built as the burial place for the Emperor and his family as well as some later Emperors of Rome.  It was later used as a castle and fortress by the popes after it was donated to them by Phocas, the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire during the 7th century.  Its name changed to the Castel Sant'Angelo in 610 C.E. after being donated to the church.  

Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant'Angelo)

The Mausoleum of Augustus was built between 28 and 23 B.C.E. under the rule of Augustus.  It was built to be the burial place of Augustus and his family.  Marcellus, the nephew of Augustus, was the first to be buried in the mausoleum.  The mausoleum consisted of two concrete cylinders; the bigger sat at the bottom while the smaller cylinder sat on top.  The mausoleum was 290 ft in diameter at its widest point on the base.  The cypress trees planted on top of the bottom cylinders were symbols of death representing the family of Augustus.  At the front entrance were bronze tablets inscribed with the various achievements of Emperor Augustus.  

Mausoleum of Augustus

A mausoleum was constructed as a monument whose interior held the burial space or chamber for the deceased.  Mausoleums were mostly built to house the corpse of a deceased leader and their families.  Mausoleums can be considered as a type of tomb and some that are Christian and larger in size also have a chapel.   The term mausoleum is derived from the burial place of the Persian King Mausolus at the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.   

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