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Egyptian Obelisk
An obelisk is a stone rectangular pillar with a tapered top forming a pyramidion, set on a base, erected to commemorate an individual or event and honor the gods. The ancient Egyptians created the form at some point in the Early Dynastic...
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Rome's Egyptian Heritage
The Eternal City of Rome is one of the places in the world with the most historical sites to visit. The list of ancient ruins, museums, churches, and other historical landmarks makes the city an Eldorado for anyone interested in history...
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Obelisk of Nectanebo II
According to the vertical inscription of this black siltstone obelisk (1.74 meter in height), Nectanebo set up this obelisk (and its fellow obelisk ) at the doorway of the sanctuary of Thoth, the Twice-Great, Lord of Hermopolis. From the...
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Obelisk at Piazza della Minerva
The obelisk standing in the Piazza della Minerva is the smallest of Rome’s obelisks and it is positioned on the back of an elephant sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598 – 1680 CE). The origins of this obelisk are unknown, but as it was...
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Obelisk of Senusret I, Heliopolis
The only Egyptian obelisk still standing in its original position is that of Senusret I (c. 1971-1926 BCE) at the site of a former temple to the sun god at Heliopolis.
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Obelisk of Thutmose III, Istanbul
The obelisk of Thutmose III (1479-1425 BCE), which originally stood at the temple of Karnak, Egypt, but was removed to Constantinople by Theodosius the Great in the 4th century CE.
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Obelisk of the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Piazza Navona
The obelisk was ordered to be constructed by Emperor Domitian (r. 81 - 96 CE). It was sculpted in Egypt and transported to Rome where it originally adorned the temple of Isis and Serapis. It now stands in Piazza Navona and is part of Gian...
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Obelisk of Ur-Nanshe from Lagash
This large white limestone obelisk was found in Lagash, southern Mesopotamia, in modern-day Iraq. All of the 4 aspects of the obelisk were carved, in reliefs, with different scenes. The frontal surface depicts the Sumerian goddess Nisaba...
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Obelisk of Titus Sextius Africanus
This rose granite obelisk was found in Rome. Roman period, circa 50 CE. (State Museum of Egyptian Art, Munich, Germany).
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Sallustiano Obelisk, Rome
The Sallustiano Obelisk in front of the Church of Trinità dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome. The obelisk is ancient but not a Pharaonic obelisk. It was constructed during the reign of Emperor Aurelian (r. 270 - 275 CE) and...
