Story:  This obelik is called "Theodosius Obelisk", because the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Emperor in the late 4th Century, Theodosius I carried it into the current site.

This obelisk is located in the site of Square of Horses [The Hippodrome Square] in Istanbul [at that time, it was called Constantinople, a capital city of Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire)]. The ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life, located in front (west) of famous Blue Mosque [Sultanahmet Camii]. Interseting thing is there are three pillars in the site of Hippodrome. From north to south; Theodosius Obelisk (Dikilitas), Serpentine Column (Burmali Sutun, or Snake Tower), and Constantinus VII Column (Colossus).

How To Go:  The most convenient way to go to Hippodrome is to get off at Sultanahmet Station of Tramvay (Street Car). You will find the Blue Mosque with a big dome and minarets. Walk to this direction, then you will soon arrive at the Hippodrome.

Provenance:  This obelisk once graced the Karnak Great Temple of Amun (Amon) in ancient Thebes (now, Luxor). It was one of two erected at the south of the 7th Pylon of the Great Temple by Tuthmosis III. No one knows who ordered its removal from Karnak, or whether it was still standing when it was taken. It was transported to Alexsandria under the orders of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Emperor Constantius II [reigned A.D. 337-361. He is different from Constantinus II, just one letter is different ("tius" vs. "tinus"), who transported an obelisk to Rome, which is now called "Lateran Obelisk"], and then finally transported to Constantinople [now Istanbul] by the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I [reigned A.D. 379-395]. It was erected in A.D. 390.

It's estimated that it was originally about 30 meters and 400 tons. But the obelisk is supposed to have been broken during the transportation to this city. The obelisk was splited into 2 parts [or 3 pieces?], and the current obelisk itself is about 19.6 meters / 65 feet tall. Its lower half reputedly also once stood in Istanbul, but it is missing. It was probably used as the materials for other buildings.

Pedestal of Theodosius Obelisk, west side

Inscriptions:  One column of inscription with hieroglyph glorifies his military exploits in 1550 BC, including a crossing of the river Euphrates in Syria: "Crossing the Great Circle of Naharina in valor and victory at the head of his army, making great slaughter... Lord of Victory who subdues all lands, establishing his frontier at the Beginning of the Earth [the extreme south] up to the Swampy Lands of Naharina [the farthest north]...." In fact, he extended the largest territory of Anciant Egyptian dynasty.

Pedestal:  The obelisk stands on the marble pedestal with relief on 4 sides. (Left photo) More photos The pedestal was made by the order of emperor Theodosius I when the obelisk was erected here. The Byzantine relief is said an important work in the history of arts, which shows the transition from the art with a naturalistic three-dimensional illusion in the Ancient Times to the art with a descriptive two-dimension in the Middle Ages. The reliefs on the pedestal depict Theodosius and his family and aides watching the races in the hippodrome and tell the story of how the obelisk was erected.

It appears to have stood unmoved in the former Hippodrome of Istanbul (Constantinople at that time) since A.D. 390. In early 13th Century, when the 4th Crusade attacked Constantinople, the countless wealth were destroyed and plundered. At that time, the four bronze horses were also carried off from the Hippodrome, but the obelisk was left because it was too big. (Just for your reference, this statue is now on the west facade of the St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica San Marco) in Venice (Venezia).

Back to the list for all the obelisks.