Esquiline Obelisk

Dating back to the pharaonic period, the obelisk was originally erected in the Temple of the Sun in Heliopolis during the reign of Seti I, around the 13th century BC. Subsequently, under the reign of Ramesses II, it was transported to Thebes to adorn the Temple of Amun-Ra, the supremely venerated deity in the ancient Egyptian pantheon. Here, for centuries, the obelisk remained a silent witness to the grand religious ceremonies and political importance of the region. However, it was during the Roman era that the obelisk found its way to Rome, a tangible symbol of the vastness of the Empire and its predilection for the art and culture of the ancient Mediterranean world. It was Emperor Augustus who ordered its transport from the city of Heliopolis, in present-day Egypt, to adorn the Circus Maximus, the magnificent entertainment and competition venue of ancient Rome. Here, surrounded by thousands of spectators, the obelisk witnessed the epic chariot races and ceremonies in honor of the gods, immersing itself in the frenetic and vibrant life of the city. However, the fate of the obelisk was destined to change once again. In the Middle Ages, during the Christianization of Rome, many ancient works of art were reused or transformed for Christian purposes. Thus, the obelisk, already a testament to a glorious past, was transformed into a cross and placed in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a symbol of the new faith taking hold in the city. The obelisk, with its height of over 14 meters and its base decorated with Egyptian inscriptions, is an extraordinary example of how cultures and civilizations overlap and influence each other throughout history. Its elegant and towering forms proudly stand in the urban landscape of Rome, bearing witness to the glorious past of the ancient city and offering visitors a window into the greatness of the civilizations that preceded it.