The Obelisk of Theodosius was created from a single piece of red granite from Aswan, near Luxor in Egypt around 1500 BC. The Roman emperor Constantius II had it transported to Constantinople and erected in the Hippodrome in 357 AD. It was originally 30 meters high, but in transportation the bottom was damaged and lost. Today the obelisk is about 20 meters high.
The Hippodrome was built for horse racing in the third century AD. The stands held 100,000 spectators. It was the scene of fierce rivalries, which sometimes culminated in riots. In a riot in 532, 30,000 people were killed and the nearby Hagia Sophia was burned down. The one you see today was built afterwards.
The hippodrome looks great on its own. Like a sundial.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot, Jack. The engineering involved in moving such a pice is incredible.
ReplyDeleteImpressive!
ReplyDeleteWhat a violent history in this part of the world. Everyone liked to take Egypt's monuments. The Obelisk is impressive with an amazing history. Thank you for this interesting post. Please continue to have a great adventure.
ReplyDeleteImpressive.
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