The Obelisk was erected by the
Pharaoh Thutmosis III in the year 1450
BC in
Egypt to commemorate his victories in Asia. It is known that a ship was built upon the commissioning of
Justinianus to the
Alexandrians in 361-363 AD to carry the obelisk to
Istanbul. But it is not known when the
Obelisk was brought to
Constantinopolis exactly.
The Obelisk which stands at the
Sultanahmet Place in
Istanbul was left lying until the reign of the
Emperor Theodosius between 379 and 395 AD. and later it was situated onto the wall called “spina” where it rests now. It is the oldest structure currently present in
Istanbul.The length of the
Obelisk, a piece of 6 meters of which is missing, is 19.59 meters. It rests on four bronze blocks on a 6 meter high marble base. The
obelisk is also known as the “
Obelisk of Theodosius” named after the base it rests on. The reliefs on the base depict the battles of
Theodisius I and his experiences in
Istanbul. It is known that there was a bronze globe symbolizing the earth on the top of the
Obelisk and that this globe fell during an earthquake in 865 AD. There are
Latin and
Hellenistic inscriptions on the base. In the hieroglyphs mention is made of the
Egyptian Gods Amun-Ra,
Horus and the
Pharao Thutmosis. The reliefs on the base depict
Theodisius I, his sons, his wife,
Arkedios,
Honorios and
Emperor Valantinianos II. There are scenes from the hippodrome and depictions showing the erection of the Obelisk as well.
