The Ancient Egyptian Obelisk Of Theodosius I In Istanbul Turkey

The Ancient Egyptian Obelisk Of Theodosius Of Pharaoh Thutmose III In Istanbul Turkey

This obelisk which stands tall in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul was originally erected at the Temple of Karnak to give honor to Pharaoh Thutmosis III for his second jubilee. It once stood near the seventh Pylon with a second obelisk. One stood on each side of the temple entrance. Made of pink granite, they were originally 95 feet tall each. Only one of the two obelisks were moved to it's current site. It was only 65 feet tall after moving to the current site byTeodosius I. It stands proud in the square with a god on each side. Emperor Theodosius, reigning Emperor in 390 AD, had only 65 feet of the obelisk moved to Constantinople. Today it stands tall with a god on each side holding his hand, which is the symbol of life, in Sultanahmet Square. This is the most ancient monument in Istanbul.

A Close Up View Of The Hieroglyphs On The Obelisk

All four sides of the Obelisk give honor for the great accomplishments of Pharaoh Thutmosis III in crossing the great Euphrates River, which is called the Great "Circle of Naharina", and is in the country of Syria. At the top of each of the four sides is a scene showing the Pharaoh giving a gift to the god Amon-Ra. The Pharaoh was given the title of "Lord of Jubilees" on all four sides of the obelisk. This is followed on all four sides by a listing of the many titles of the Pharaoh. Next, each side lists his many accomplishments. The obelisk was placed on a giant base of marble from the 4th century. It was placed on four bronze footers to help even out the weight.

Barbarians Are Shown Kneeling At The Base Of The Pedestal

Theodosius 1 with his advisers, and family with the barbarians kneeling below in submission. The marble base has two sides with an inscription. One in Latin and the other in Greek.

The Emperor And His Court

Theodosius Is Offering A Laurel Wreath To The Victor

Theodosius is offering a laurel wreath to the victor, on the marble base of the Obelisk of Thutmosis III at the Hippodrome of Constantinople. He is seen here with spectators and other attendees at what is most likely a chariot race. You also see the signs of festivities at the bottom of the base. On the far right sign is a water organ owned by Ctesibius. Ctesibius was a Greek scholar and Mathematician from Egypt.

This Side Shows The Bringing Of Gifts To Theodosius

The Marble Base Showing The East Side With Latin Inscription

Two of the sides of the base have inscriptions. This one is on the East side and is in Latin. It reads:

" DIFFICILIS QVONDAM DOMINIS PARERE SERENIS
IVSSVS ET EXTINCTIS PALMAM PORTARE TYRANNIS
OMNIA THEODOSIO CEDVNT SVBOLIQVE PERENNI
TER DENIS SIC VICTVS EGO DOMITVSQVE DIEBVS
IVDICE SVB PROCLO SVPERAS ELATVS AD AVRAS "

The English translation is as Follows:(Wikipedia)

"Though formerly I opposed resistance, I was ordered to obey the serene masters and to carry their palm, once the tyrants had been overcome. All things yield to Theodosius and to his everlasting descendants. This is true of me too – I was mastered and overcome in three times ten days and raised towards the upper air, under Governor Proculus."

There is also a Byzantine Greek inscription on the West side.

"KIONA TETPAΠΛEYPON AEI XΘONI KEIMENON AXΘOCMOYNOC ANACTHCAI ΘEYΔOCIOC BACIΛEYCTOΛMHCAC ΠPOKΛOC EΠEKEKΛETO KAI TOCOC ECTHKIΩN HEΛIOIC EN TPIAKONTA ΔYO "

The English translation is as Follows:(Wikipedia)

"This column with four sides which lay on the earth, only the emperor Theodosius dared to lift again its burden; Proclos was invited to execute his order; and this great column stood up in 32 days."

The Obelisk of Theodosius is the oldest monument in Istanbul and of a major importance to Turkish history. It is a must see for adventurers traveling in the Istanbul area.

Sources:

The Obelisks of Egypt by Labib Habachi (1984)

http://www.greatistanbul.com/obelisk.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelisk_of_Theodosius