---
title: The Vatican Obelisk
author: Wanda Marcussen
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11924/the-vatican-obelisk/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Vatican Obelisk

_Authored by [Wanda Marcussen](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/wanda.marcussen/)_

## Image File

[![The Vatican Obelisk](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11924.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11924.jpg)

## Image Caption

The origin of the Vatican Obelisk is unknown except that is was erected in the [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Heliopolis. After reaching [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/), the obelisk was placed by Emperor [Caligula](https://www.worldhistory.org/Caligula/) (r. 37–41 CE) in the [circus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Circus/) he had constructed close to where the Vatican stands today. It was moved to its current location in St. Peter's Square in 1586 CE.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Wanda Marcussen is a doctoral research fellow in environmental history at the University of Oslo. Her academic interest includes climate history, marine environmental history, and cultural heritage studies.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/wanda.marcussen)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandamarcussen/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Marcussen, W. (2020, February 16). The Vatican Obelisk. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11924/the-vatican-obelisk/>
### Chicago
Marcussen, Wanda. "The Vatican Obelisk." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 16, 2020. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11924/the-vatican-obelisk/>.
### MLA
Marcussen, Wanda. "The Vatican Obelisk." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Feb 2020, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11924/the-vatican-obelisk/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Wanda Marcussen](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/wanda.marcussen/ "User Page: Wanda Marcussen"), published on 16 February 2020. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.