Obelisk of Montecitorio, Ancient Egyptian obelisk in Piazza Montecitorio, Italy
The Obelisk of Montecitorio is a red granite monument rising majestically in its namesake square in Rome and bearing ancient Egyptian inscriptions. This four-sided structure dates from the reign of Pharaoh Psamtik II and towers visibly above the surrounding buildings.
Roman Emperor Augustus brought this stone from Egypt to Rome and used it as a sundial for his grand survey project. The monument shows how Rome adopted Egyptian works as symbols of its power and rule.
The carved texts on each side tell of Egyptian gods and royal authority from ancient times. Today visitors can see how these inscriptions reflect the beliefs that mattered to pharaohs.
The monument stands on a public square before the parliament building and is visible from outside at any time. Visitors can view it from various angles and admire the carving details up close.
The tip of the obelisk once cast a shadow that pointed precisely at a nearby monument on a specific day each year. This astronomical precision was no accident but a deliberate design choice by the ancient emperor.
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