THE WALLED OBELISK
Built of roughly cut stones, this imitation obelisk
stands at the southern side of the Hippodrome. Its exact date of
construction is unknown. It is named after the Emperor Constantine
Porphyroenitus who had it repaired in the 10th century. Its bronze
plates decorated with golden lettering were plundered by the Fourth
Crusaders.
THE EGYPTIAN
OBELISK (THE OBELISK OF THEODOSIUS I)
Around 1490 BC the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III
erected two obelisks before the Karnak temple in Luxor to commemorate
the victories of his forces in Mesopotamia. The obelisks were made of
rare pink granite.
In the 4th century AD, an unknown Roman emperor who wanted to accomplish
something impressive that would create excitement among his people had
the colossal obelisk brought to Istanbul.
For years it was left lying in a corner of the Hippodrome. In 390,
during the reign of Theodosius I, it was erected with great difficulty
by Proclus, a city administrator. It is the oldest monument in the city
and has always been considered magical. The obelisk rests on four bronze
blocks on a Roman base decorated with reliefs. These depict the emperor,
his children and other prominent personalities watching the races from
the imperial box, as well as the spectators, musicians, dancers and
chariot races. The obelisk measures 25.60 m including the base.
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