The Obelisk in Sultanahmet Istanbul
Egyptian Obelisk in Sultanahmet Hippodrome Istanbul
In the Sultanahmet Square, one can see two obelisks that survive till date. One of these obelisks has inscriptions in Egyptian hieroglyphics. There is strong evidence that in 1490, Pharaoh Thutmose III erected two obelisks to commemorate the win of his soldiers in Mesopotamia.
One of these is the Egyptian Obelisk or the Obelisk of Theodosius I brought by Pharaoh Tutmoses III, a Roman Emperor, from Egypt to the city of Istanbul. It was placed in the hippodrome at a place just facing the Temple of Karnak at Luxor in the 4th century AD to celebrate the victory of his warriors in Mesopotamia. It laid in a corner for a long time until Theodosius I got it re-erected with the help of a city administrator Proclus in 390. Hence, it got its name as the Obelisk of Theodosius.
Built from high quality red and pink granite, it was originally 95 feet in height and 380 tons in weight. However, the lower half of the obelisk was lost and the obelisk which we see today is only 25.60 m including its base. A marble plinth lends support to the obelisk. It is one of the oldest historical monuments in the city of Istanbul and holds great historical importance.
The marble plinth depicts the life of Emperor Theodosius. While the western face reveals the emperor himself along with his wife and kids, the northern face depicts Arcadius, the Byzantine Emperor along with his wife. Meanwhile, the eastern and the southern sides of the obelisk show Theodosius enjoying games with his two children, Honorius and Arcadius; and Theosodius watching chariot race flanked by his two sons on one side and Valantinian II on the other side.
One can find a number of traces of damage to the pedestal of this ancient obelisk as well the efforts done from time to time to restore it by replacing the damaged pieces with the ones. The base of the obelisk suffered major damage in an accident, probably a earthquake, the date of which is not known exactly.
Just at the southern end of the Hippodrome stands tall the Walled Obelisk (Constantine Obelisk). It is a imitation obelisk situated near the Serpentine Column in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Being 32 meters in height, this obelisk was built by Constantine VII by using pieces of rough shaped cut stones.
Although, the exact date of this monument is still not known, it is however believed that in the tenth century, Constantine VII renovated it. The building was decorated with glided bronze plates exhibiting victories of the grandfather of Constantine VII, Basil I. the beautiful bronze plates decorating the building were stripped by the knights during the 4th Crusade. The obelisk is named after the Emperor Constantine.
Egyptian Obelisk in Sultanahmet Hippodrome Istanbul
Egyptian Obelisk in Sultanahmet Hippodrome Istanbul
Egyptian Obelisk in Sultanahmet Hippodrome Istanbul
Egyptian Obelisk in Sultanahmet Hippodrome Istanbul
March 21st, 2011 - 23:58
One of these is the Egyptian Obelisk or the Obelisk of Theodosius I brought by Pharaoh Tutmoses III, a Roman Emperor, from Egypt to the city of Istanbul.
Wrong use of grammar makes the meaning fully different. Yanlış yazım var, anlam değişiyor. Obelisk of Pharaoh Tutmoses III, brought by Theodosius I, a Roman Emperor, from Egypt to the city of Istanbul. olmalı doğrusu lütfen düzeltelim bu bilgiyi