The largest standing Egyptian Obelisk… is in Rome? The Lateran Obelisk,
Perhaps the only thing more iconic of Egypt than the obelisk are the pyramids. The large towering slabs of granite are often hundred of feet high and hundreds of tons in weight. It would have taken extraordinary skill and engineering know how to erect these large stone behemoths. Archeologists and engineers today still debate how they did it, with some wild theories including mysticism and aliens. However, did you know that the largest standing Egyptian obelisk is not located in Egypt, but rather in Rome?
The largest Egyptian obelisk still standing today is the Lateran Obelisk. Constructed in the 1400’s BC, it was commisioned by the Pharaoh Thutmose III and Thutmose IV. A large obelisk, it weighs 455 tons and reaches a height of around 150 feet. Originally it was located at the Temple of Amun in Karnak. So how did this large stone structure make its way to Rome?
In 31 BC, the Roman leader Octavius (Emperor Augustus) had defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra, conquering Egypt for the Roman Empire. The Romans were very enthusiastic antiquarians, often pillaging conquered territories of antiquities, relics, art, and treasure. This was often done on a grand scale, as even large statuary was taken and used to decorate the mansions of wealthy Romans. The Romans especially had an interest in Egyptian obelisks, every wealthy patrician family had to have their own obelisk in their collection. Throughout Egypt obelisks were uprooted from their foundations, shipped across the Mediterranean, and erected in various sites all over Roman Europe. Eight alone where shipped to Rome, others were erected in the Eastern Roman capitol of Constantinople. When a shortage in Egyptian obelisks developed, the Romans began building their own. The Renaissance saw a revival of classical architecture and with it the obelisk. Obelisk fever once again hit Rome by storm as wealthy Italians commissioned artists and architects to build their own. Perhaps the most famous example of this Renaissance obsession is the Vatican Obelisk in St. Peters Square, erected in 1586 AD, it was formally an Ancient Egyptian obelisk built by an unknown pharaoh during the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt (2494 BC – 2345 BC).
The Lateran Obelisk caught the fancy of Roman Emperor Constantius II (reign 350-361AD). He intended to erect it as a monument at the new capitol of Constantinople. However, Constantius fell into conflict with his brothers over who should rule the empire. The obelisk remained in storage at Alexandria, until Constantius defeated his brothers and grabbed the throne of the empire. From there the obelisk was moved to Rome, where it was erected as a decoration and memorial to Constantius’ father in the Circus Maximus, a large stadium which hosted chariot races.
When the Western Roman Empire fell the Circus Maximus fell into to disuse. As the structure crumbled masons pilfered it for free stone, and the obelisk fell over and was covered with dirt after centuries of disuse. In 1587 Pope Sixtus ordered the excavation of the obelisk and its restoration. Renaissance artist and engineer Domenico Fontana, who repaired and restored its engravings, and shortened it by 4 meters. The obelisk was then erected on the Piazza del Campidoglio on Capitoline Hill, next to the Basilica of St. John Lateran (thus the name Lateran Obelisk) in 1588. A bronze cross was also added, a incredible contrast to the religious ancient Egyptian ceremonial hieroglyphs below.
Because of the Romans obelisk fever there are twice as many obelisks in the City of Rome, than there are in all of Egypt.
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