Obelisk of Theodosius, Egyptian monument in Sultanahmet Square, Turkey
The Obelisk of Theodosius is an Egyptian monument on Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, made of red granite and standing 19 meters tall. Each of its four sides carries hieroglyphic inscriptions recording the military achievements of Pharaoh Thutmose III.
The structure originally stood at the Temple of Karnak and was erected around 1450 BC before Emperor Theodosius I brought it to Constantinople. Its installation in the current square took place in 390 when it was raised in the Hippodrome.
The marble pedestal displays carved scenes of Emperor Theodosius I handing out crowns, while musicians and dancers accompany the celebrations in the ancient Hippodrome. The reliefs offer a window into late Roman ceremonies and the way public squares were used for communal gatherings.
The square is accessible year-round and sits among many other landmarks in the historic center of Istanbul. Guided tours often explain the Latin and Greek inscriptions carved on the base.
Bronze cubes beneath the marble base distribute the weight of the 380-ton structure across the ground. The installation took 32 days and required careful engineering to ensure stability on the soft soil.
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