Column of the Goths, Roman victory obelisk in Gülhane Park, Turkey
The Column of the Goths is a Roman victory monument carved from Proconnesian marble with a Corinthian capital, rising in Gülhane Park. The structure bears Latin inscriptions at its base and stands among trees in the public area of the park.
The monument was erected to commemorate a Roman victory over Gothic armies, likely under Claudius II or Constantine the Great in the 3rd or 4th century. This period marks when Rome attempted to maintain its borders against migrating steppe peoples.
The monument demonstrates how Byzantines preserved Roman symbols of power and incorporated them into their own identity. The eagle motifs on the capital reference imperial authority that both cultures shared.
The obelisk sits in the public area of Gülhane Park near Topkapi Palace and is easily reached on foot. The surroundings offer benches and shade beneath trees, making it pleasant to spend time there.
The marble comes from Proconnesus, an island in the Sea of Marmara that served as a quarry for the empire's major construction projects. This reveals the reach of Roman trade networks that moved materials across vast distances.
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