---
title: Obelisk at Piazza della Minerva
author: Wanda Marcussen
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11925/obelisk-at-piazza-della-minerva/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Obelisk at Piazza della Minerva

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

## Image File

[![Obelisk at Piazza della Minerva](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11925.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11925.jpg)

## Image Caption

The obelisk standing in the Piazza della [Minerva](https://www.worldhistory.org/Minerva/) is the smallest of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/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 found in the garden next to the cloister of the Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva, it is believed to have stood at the entrance of the [Isis](https://www.worldhistory.org/isis/) [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) in ancient times after being brought to Rome by Emperor [Diocletian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Diocletian/) (r. 284 - 305 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). Obelisk at Piazza della Minerva. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11925/obelisk-at-piazza-della-minerva/>
### Chicago
Marcussen, Wanda. "Obelisk at Piazza della Minerva." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 16, 2020. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11925/obelisk-at-piazza-della-minerva/>.
### MLA
Marcussen, Wanda. "Obelisk at Piazza della Minerva." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Feb 2020, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11925/obelisk-at-piazza-della-minerva/>.

## 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.