What is an Obelisk? Discover the History Behind This Egyptian Monument

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Luxor Obelisk in the Position de la Concorde, Paris, France. (Photo: Inventory Shots from Vladimir Volodin/Shutterstock)

Before there was the skyscraper, historic builders made the original tall, imposing construction: the obelisk. With origins in historical Egypt, these four-sided structures have been typically erected in commemoration of the rulers and spread in level of popularity across the ancient world— together with historical Rome and Assyria.

Even right after the finish of these civilizations, the obelisk ongoing to be a well known monument for its striking nonetheless uncomplicated structure. In reality, some of the most legendary landmarks in the earth are a model of historic creation, such as the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., and the Luxor Obelisk in Paris.

Here, we will find out the origins of obelisks and what some well known obelisks are around the entire world.

What is an obelisk?

Obelisk of Tuthmosis III, Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo: Inventory Photographs from ibrahim kavus/Shutterstock)

An obelisk is a celebratory monument originating from historic Egypt. It is a tall, four-sided composition with a pyramid-shaped top. Initially called tekhenu in ancient Egyptian, the title obelisk comes from the Greek author Herodotus, who utilized the ancient Greek word obeliskos (meaning “split, ail, pointed pillar”) to explain them.

Heritage

Hieroglyphic carving of the Ancient Egyptian god Ra. (Picture: Stock Photographs from Vixit/Shutterstock)

Ancient obelisks had been monolithic constructions—meaning they have been produced from one particular piece of stone—that were made in pairs for the entrance of temples. The condition of the obelisk is affiliated with the historical Egyptian god of the sunlight, Ra. Most ancient obelisks function hieroglyphic carvings on all 4 sides that are committed to Ra and the ruler who erected the monument.

Soon after Cleopatra‘s dying in 30 BCE and Rome assumed manage around Egypt, the majority of Egyptian obelisks ended up removed from their initial areas and scattered across the Roman Empire. It is for this motive that Rome is dwelling to the most historic obelisks in the planet.

King Ezana’s Stele, Axum, Northern Ethiopia. (Photo: Stock Shots from knovakov/Shutterstock)

Though the oldest examples of obelisks originate from the ancient Egyptian empire, comparable monuments have appeared in other civilizations, such as Assyria and the Axumite Kingdom (modern day-day Ethiopia). King Exana’s Stele from the Axumite Kingdom, for illustration, has a rounded top instead of a pyramid and characteristics untrue doors and home windows on its sides.

Renowned obelisks

Obelisk at Saint Peter’s Sq., Vatican Town, Rome, Italy

Obelisk in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican, Rome, Italy. (Photograph: Inventory Shots from Mistervlad/Shutterstock)

The obelisk at Saint Peter’s Sq. in the Vatican is a monolithic stone monument that is estimated to be about 4,000 years aged. It was introduced to Rome from Egypt all through the reign of Emperor Augustus and relocated to its current spot in 1586 by Pope Sixtus V. Unlike most historical Egyptian obelisks, it options no hieroglyphics on any of its sides.

Lateran Obelisk, Piazza San Giovanni, Rome, Italy

Lateran Obelisk, Piazza San Giovanni, Laterano, Rome. (Picture: Inventory Pics from Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock)

At first from the Temple of Amun in Karnak, Egypt, the Lateran Obelisk is the tallest obelisk in Rome and the greatest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world—weighing 455 tons and standing at about 149 ft tall. It was transported to Rome in 357 CE as component of the decoration for the Circus Maximus.

Heliopolis Obelisk, Cairo, Egypt

Heliopolis Obelisk, Cairo, Egypt. (Picture: General public Domain, through Wikimedia Commons.)

The Heliopolis Obelisk is the one particular remaining monument from a pair of pink granite obelisks erected by Pharaoh Senusret I, who reigned for the duration of the Middle Kingdom period of Historic Egypt. It is 67 feet tall and the oldest standing obelisk located in Egypt.

Luxor Obelisks (Luxor, Egypt & Paris, France)

Remaining: Luxor Obelisk at the Luxor Temple, Egypt. (Image: Stock Photographs from agsaz Shutterstock) | Proper: Luxor Obelisk at the Location de la Concorde, Paris, France. (Photo: Stock Photographs from ArTono/Shutterstock)

The Luxor Obelisks are a pair of 75-foot-higher granite monuments originally produced for the Luxor Temple in Egypt. They have been fashioned approximately 3,000 years in the past during the reign of Ramesses II. In the 19th century, the correct-hand obelisk was shipped to Paris as a present from Muhammad Ali Pasha, ruler of Ottoman Egypt to France. In trade, Egypt received a clock that can however be found at the Cairo Citadel.

Now, the right-hand obelisk is located in the center of the Position de la Concorde in Paris, and the remaining-hand still stands in entrance of the Luxor Temple.

Washington Monument, Washington DC, United States

Washington Monument, Washington DC. (Photograph: Stock Shots from Orhan Cam/Shutterstock)

In just the Countrywide Shopping mall is the world’s tallest obelisk and the world’s tallest stone composition, the Washington Monument. It is a hollow Egyptian-design and style obelisk that stands about 555 toes tall and is created from a mixture of marble, granite, and bluestone. The monument was intended to commemorate George Washington, the to start with president of the United States it began development in 1848 and was done in 1884.

Obelisco de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Obelisk of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Image: Inventory Images from sharptoyou/Shutterstock)

Like the Washington Monument, the Obelisco de Buenos Aires is an icon of its nation. The 221-foot monument was produced in only 31 times between the months of March and May well in 1936. Located in the Plaza de la República in a busy intersection, the white stone obelisk is visible from most pieces of the town. It commemorates the initial foundation of Buenos Aires.