---
title: Marble Obelisk from Kition
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5214/marble-obelisk-from-kition/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Marble Obelisk from Kition

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Marble Obelisk from Kition](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5214.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5214.jpg)

## Image Caption

The finely carved inscription on this obelisk dates to the 4th century BCE. The obelisk was set up in a cemetery at the Phoenician colony of Kition in [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) by a certain Arish in memory of his parent; his father Parz, who is said to have been "chief of the commercial agents", and his mother Shamzabaal. During the 1st millennium BCE, the [Phoenicians](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/), descendants of the Levantine Canaanites, refined and perfected the [alphabet](https://www.worldhistory.org/alphabet/) invented by their ancestors nearly a thousand years earlier, and transmitted to [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) and Western [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/). Easy to use and accessible to all levels of society, it rapidly caught on, and, although the shapes of the letters have changed with time, it is essentially the same alphabet we use today. From Kition, Cyprus. 4th century BCE. The British Museum, London.

#### 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

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, June 16). Marble Obelisk from Kition. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5214/marble-obelisk-from-kition/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Marble Obelisk from Kition." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 16, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5214/marble-obelisk-from-kition/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Marble Obelisk from Kition." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Jun 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5214/marble-obelisk-from-kition/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 16 June 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.