Pinciano obelisk, Ancient Egyptian obelisk at Pincian Hill, Rome, Italy
The Pinciano obelisk is an ancient Egyptian stone monument at Pincian Hill in Rome, made from rose granite with hieroglyphic inscriptions covering its surface. It rises approximately 13 meters and stands as one of the few Egyptian obelisks that the Romans transported to their city.
The obelisk was commissioned in the 2nd century by Emperor Hadrian as a memorial dedicated to Antinous, a figure of great importance to the emperor. It formed part of Rome's practice of bringing Egyptian symbols to the city as displays of imperial power and cultural sophistication.
The hieroglyphic inscriptions on the obelisk show how ancient Egyptian traditions influenced the way Romans built monuments to honor important people.
The obelisk sits within Villa Borghese and can be reached by walking through the gardens toward Viale dell'Obelisco. It is easily accessible since it stands on open ground near the Piazza del Popolo entrance.
This stone traveled through many locations over the centuries, moving from Egypt to Rome and later standing at sites like Circus Varianus and Vatican City before finally arriving at its current spot in 1822. Its journey reflects how Romans collected and relocated monuments to suit their changing interests and needs.
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