The Obelisks in Egypt · The Obelisks of Ancient Rome · Piranesi in Rome (2024)

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What does the Egyptian obelisk in Rome say? ›

The obelisk is made of pink granite and has no inscription on its sides. The Vatican obelisk comes from Helipolis in Egypt and came to Rome in 37 AD under Emperor Caligula, who wanted it placed in his circus.

During the Roman era, many of Egypt's ancient obelisks were moved to Rome, while new obelisks were also made. Karnak. At least fifteen obelisks were transferred to Rome, although only thirteen now remain there.

For Egyptians, the obelisk was a reverential monument, commemorating the dead, representing their kings, and honoring their gods. These monuments were representational in both structure and arrangement, serving as monuments with a complete structure of understanding.

The trunk of the obelisk connected the god Ra to the earth, it was the representation of a solar ray of the Egyptian god that was projected towards the earth. This symbolic connection represented the propitiatory rite which had the function of guaranteeing the fertility of the earth and the goodness of the crops.

In Egyptian mythology, the obelisk symbolized the sun god Ra, and during the religious reformation of Akhenaten it was said to have been a petrified ray of the Aten, the sundisk.

The Romans would exploit the rich lands of Egypt for everything they could get; initially this was gold, precious gems, incense, and exotic perfumes then it became the major source of grain, marble, not to mention animals for the Colosseum.

The earliest surviving obelisk dates from the reign of Sesostris I (1918–1875 bce) and stands at Heliopolis, a suburb of Cairo, where once stood a temple to Re. One of a pair of obelisks erected at Karnak by Thutmose I (c. 1493–c.

Emperor Caligula had it shipped to Rome in 40 AD, and placed it at the center of the Circus of Nero, the site of which is in modern times mostly in Vatican City. It remained in this position after the circus fell into disuse, occupied by a necropolis.

Obelisks, with their connection to light, divinity, and order, find resonances in biblical narratives that emphasize divine revelation, judgment, and the sanctity of dedicated places of worship.

While the honor of the world's tallest obelisk belongs to the Washington Monument (standing 555 feet, or 169 meters, tall), Long believes the most famous obelisk on the planet is likely the Vatican Obelisk at the center of Rome's St. Peter's Square.

What does Cleopatra Needle say? ›

Cleopatra's Needle is flanked by two faux-Egyptian sphinxes, designed by the English architect George John Vulliamy. The sphinxes are cast in bronze and bear hieroglyphic inscriptions that say netjer nefer men-kheper-re di ankh, which translates as "the good god, Thuthmosis III given life".

Created roughly 3,500 years ago in Egypt, the Obelisk—also known as Cleopatra's Needle—was dedicated in Central Park in 1881. Standing between the Great Lawn and the Met Museum, the Obelisk is the oldest outdoor monument in NYC.

History. The obelisk was first erected during the 18th dynasty by Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479–1425 BC) to the south of the seventh pylon of the great temple of Karnak.

The inscription on the north face tells of the emperor Constantine, Christianiae fidei vindex et assertor, “the defender and protector of the Christian faith”, ordering the obelisk to be taken from Egypt ut Novam Romam eo decoraret monumento, “in order to decorate New Rome with this monument.” In the early fourth ...

The presence of hieroglyphs on the obelisk made it difficult for scholars to determine an original date. Translations from French scholar Jean François Champollion (1790-1832) eventually determined that these inscriptions included the names of Domitian, his father Vespasian, and his brother, Titus.

The inscriptions show phrases that indicate the relationship of the pharaoh with the sun god ("Excellent son of the sun god") and recall the works performed in honor of the god. The details on the transport of the two twin obelisks to Rome are not known.