Is this Obelisk Italy's Greatest Shame?

Everything, of course, is a matter of perspective. To me, for example, Italy's greatest shame is Francesco (thanks for filming the scenes in Milan, buddy).
It took a lot of work salvaging this episode from the lost footage, so a huge thank you to Kata for all her effort. Unfortunately the season in Ethiopia/Somaliland was a true challenge, and there was nothing we could really do about it. Sorry! Can't win 'em all!
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This video was made possible thanks to our incredible Patreon subscribers Aaron lx, Abram Blocton, Adam Theo, Alan Bryce, Alberto Daval Cordeiro Araujo, Alf Einar Solberg, Alejandro Fuentes Salazar, Alex Garland, Alex Van de Sande, Alex Ross, Alexis Michelle Smith, Amay Khara, Amity Marshall, Andres Rama, Andrew Larson, Anina Shaorandra, Aqeel Fassuhudeen, Arne ‘S Jegers, Athena Retsinas, Audrey Brown, Austin Cousineau, Ben Hewitson, Bonnie Lee, Blue Penguin, Bradley Brown, Brian ONeel, Bruno Mikuš, Carl Bodnaruk, Catherine Berry, Chris Ferguson, Christ k, Christopher Castro, Cody Belichesky, CompConf, Damon Yi Hao, Daniel Demsky, Daniel Lee, Daniel Tyler, David Johnson, David James McConnell, David Benjamin, David Rowe, David Lister, David Badilotti, Dénes Berk, Denise Lipscombe, Djof, Douglas Danger Manley, Edee Nackers, Edward Sykes, Einar Holmedal, Eric Downes, Erik Ensing, Erin Lasoff, Ethnis Studio, f1r3w4rr10r, feo, Fiona Cameron-Mackintosh, Flight Chops, flox, Fridtjof Mahnke, Frode Thomassen, Gabe S, Gavin Cross, Gerardo Garcia Mendez, Ggamefreak22, Giffy, Gilberto Hart, Giulian Fava, Gregory Stutheit, Hedi Zisling, Heikki Tiainen, Henderson Moret, Hollis Davis, Ian Smith, Isaac Langille-LaBerge, J Neko, Jaime Jewer, James Clayton Bowman, James Mari, Jamie Cox, Jan Langguth, Jan Vilhuber, Jarod Hoffarth, jaycornonthecob, Jeremy Wheelis, Jerome, Jessica Mayberry, Joachim Nygaard Kvam, Jochim Timmermann, John Abel, John adams, John Cline, John Goff, John Jenkins, Jon Niezgoda, Jonathan Lindus, Jonathan Webb, Jonathan Lonowski, Josh Hoppes, Joshua Hutchison, Joshua Clarke, Julia Thiele, Julian Fiander, Kaitlin Wadley, Kemp, Kenan Klisura, Kevin Lee, Kidd Mclayer, Kristjan Kalve, L W, Lars Hjort Christensen, Leo Höppner, Leszek Szczepański, Lex, Liam Oliver-Mallory, Liam Gilles, Liam Cooper, Lorenz, Lucas van wijk, Lukas Jackowski, Akasha Yi, MacFoxington, Mad Sumac, Manuel Martin, Marc Chang, Marek Slabicki, Mariné Avagyan, Markus, Markus Sawinski, Martin Faszinka, Martin Hölzel, Marty Otzenberger, Matt, Matthew Benteau, Matthias Kleveta, Melanie Sumner, Mengde Wang, Merodac, Michael Belde, Michael Cao, Michael Earle, Michael Wladysiak, Michael, Michael Teesdale, Michael Loken, Mike Pearce, Mladen Piasetskyi, MrElk, Muncorn, Narskogr, Nathaneal Register, Natsumeg, Niclas Andersson, Nicolas Alexander Schmitt, Noah Hawkes, Nyan Saik Krat, Ossian, Patrick Griffis, Patrick W., Paul Cleeves, Paul Estella, Paulina Jonušaitė, Peaceful Conquest, Penny Brown, Peter Bjorvand, Peter Wood, Peter Lonjers, Petr Dolezal, Pieter Algera, Rabin Pun, Remi_Scarlet, Rob Rose, Robert Velten, Rocky Yip, Roger Roca, Ron Warris, Ruddy Ezequiel Arroliga, sam, Sam C., Sean Lavery, Sergey Chukanov, setoh, sharpie660, Shawn Wang Williams, Shayne Stride, Shravan Bendapudi, Simen Thoresen, Simon Tobar, Sirus, Stephen Morrissey, Steve Martin De Souza, Svein Ove Aas, Taé Tran, Tad Moore, Teo Cherici, This Has Not Gone Well, Thomas Paris, Tino Dervisagic, TJ Zimmerman, Toaster, Trance Cat, Travis L Parker, Twisol, Unnamed Muffin, Varun Perumal, Victor Szeto, Walter Schneider, Wes Mills, Whitefang, Wolf Gratz, Yash Jain, Zach Kuzmicz and Zachary Hall. We love you guys!
Thanks for watching! You're clearly one of the good ones.

[@RareEarthSeries]

Like every other episode, this comment is pinned to remind you we only exist due to Patrons. www.patreon.com/rareearth Thank you Patrons!

[@heathenbreathinfire]

I would disagree that history is unimportant and make the distinction that instead, not only do symbols matter but context having shaped interactions matters and plus suppressed history can help guide us or leave us blind, depending on whether its discovered or not. That said, I do enjoy this and other vids you make. Cheers!

[@kellypineda4931]

What do you offer patrons man

[@RareEarthSeries]

Not much. A vast majority are just being supportive because they know this is the only way I can do this.

[@kellypineda4931]

Yo thank you for your content it’s amazing p.s the donkey show was funny and I want to swim in the waters of dildo

[@theporkiestpie8416]

These videos on Ethiopia are great Rare Earth. Do you plan to to cover the Derg period?

[@oneofmanyjames-es1643]

Despite the setbacks, the quality of the Ethiopia/Somaliland series has been fantastic and I hardly noticed a change from previous episodes.

[@davidellis4031]

I have to agree - content is king, and this channel has content to rival any billion dollar broadcast company. Even though I knew about possible technical limitations on this season, I haven't noticed any drop in quality at all.

[@xMaverickFPS]

@@davidellis4031 wow. i completely forgot about the setbacks. i can't even remember what they were. shows you how noticeable it is lol

[@MrWassup45]

there were setbacks?

[@ofthecaribbean]

What setbacks?

[@he6agonzxdv467]

@@ofthecaribbean The cameraman they hired got drunk and either deleted footage/never recorded it, so they're relying on a lot of B-roll for this season.

[@RockawayCCW]

Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Those who DO learn from history are doomed to stand by and watch helplessly while everyone else repeats it.

[@patheirbrown4158]

hmm so true doomed to just watch but maybe just maybe there is a way i guess just that we never found it

[@alexandersmurr-ferrer7713]

Exactly, History is one of the most valuable things we can learn.

[@fieldandstream9362]

Damned...that's so TRUE.

[@noth606]

mark p Self defeatist nihilistic attitude is never the answer, if you don't think the future can be better than the past, shut up and remove yourself from the discourse please. The rest of us will take it from here.

[@sourgreendolly7685]

noth606 Did you read OP’s comment though? His reply fits the tone more than yours

[@chrisfromsouthaus2735]

The fact that the Italian's put aside their own pride, showed humility, and returned the Obelisk, should itself be a source of pride for Italy.

[@miapdx503]

Yes.

[@entertainmentprime101]

no they were forced. The obelisk was struck by lightning which created an outroar and international movement

[@entertainmentprime101]

@@selfishstockton6123 true

[@ema6233]

​@@entertainmentprime101 No, it was because of Berlusconi's (at that time prime minister) political strategies, it has nothing to do with the lightning (It's not like Ethiopia is lightning free) and I don't really think the foreign countries care so much since Germany, UK, France and Belgium have their museum full of historic artefacts and monuments stolen from Africa and Asia

[@entertainmentprime101]

@@ema6233 no no there is almost no heavy rain in Axum and fyi Ethiopia is big with diverse climate. And not the countries themselves but the people helped in raising awareness

[@rockyblacksmith]

"Why would any empire still attempt to invade Afghanistan" Oh man, that is a lot of empires burned in a few words.

[@juanfernandez1696]

It is possible if you don't have any morals or qualms about about murdering every man woman and child on sight. In other words genocide. You may notice that the Mongolians succeeded where everyone else failed because they almost completely depopulated the hole country.

[@rockyblacksmith]

@@juanfernandez1696 Sure, but in today's world, that would be far more trouble than it's worth.

[@juanfernandez1696]

@@rockyblacksmith that's the main reason why I would never want to time travel. People of the past did waste time splitting hairs when they saw you having something they wanted.

[@rockyblacksmith]

@@juanfernandez1696 That's not even the problematic part. Back then such things as "international backlash" or "trade embargos" weren't a thing. Nowadays, everything is connected, so when you start a genocide, that hurts about a thousand bottom lines. And all the people you hurt suddenly want to get back at you. And they will. The people didn't change, there are just as many ruthless people in the world now as there were back then. It's just the ways in which you get to be ruthless that have changed.

[@mahamedaden7237]

Hahahaha

[@Tes-qe1jc]

I’m Ethiopian living in Japan and I love Italy despite everything. In fact, I even have friends from Italy studying here in Japan. They’re one of the most supportive and non-judgmental people I’ve ever met. History alone can’t define us. We’re bigger than that. Love ❤️

[@brianlenehan9055]

I agree with your great comment. I suspect the italian soldiers were ashamed of their behaviour and it effected their will to fight in WW2. It did not go well for moussilini at the end in italian care. Human to human is so different from politian to polititian.

[@yolandacomito]

Thank you 💕

[@princehezron3391]

Italians are racist

[@ilijeganu273]

Screw Italy. They did so much damage to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. If I go into that youtube will delete my comment

[@ce8354]

to be fair ethiopia is the origin of coffee so we will love it always

[@MrThonny15]

The quality of your work is unmatched on KZbin. Thank you for taking us with you on your travels :)

[@RareEarthSeries]

Huge thanks! It means a ton to get comments like these.

[@MrThonny15]

​@@RareEarthSeries No problem. Looking forward to see where you are going next.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Central Park still has an obelisk that originally came from Alexandria. It’s gone through a lot but it’s pretty cool to see

[@ramiroborges7359]

They have egyptian oblisks in Rome too, for 2000+ years now

[@thomasrangel5990]

I see you everywhere XD

[@nvmnow]

@@thomasrangel5990 yeah

[@adroitdroid5989]

@@thomasrangel5990 scishow infofraphics show crash course

[@greendogg83]

You will find egyptian obelisks in many cities around the world

[@kelpsie]

"They never truly conquered the Ethiopian people, despite what Mussolini had claimed, nor would they ever again." Hey man, you never know. The future's a crazy place.

[@lindanchi5646]

Italy population 60 millions. Ethiopia population 105 millions. Italy has no chance.

[@tomasroma2333]

Linda Nchi Italys population 1936: 42.9 million Ethiopia’s population 1950: 18.5 million

[@lindanchi5646]

@@tomasroma2333 Holy shit... they had such a big advantage back then but still lost.

[@criticofsadness]

@@lindanchi5646 Lol thinking general pop is an advantage in any war. Defending ones homeland is 10x easier than invading ones homeland, especially if the majority of the troops are not familiar with the environment. The Vietnam War comes to mind as an example.

[@tomasroma2333]

Linda Nchi In WW2 often the Chinese would out number the Japanese 10 to 1 and they would still lose. Numbers isn’t everything.

[@mrnice4434]

I just love the way you write your scripts. Great video like always!

[@diocanaja]

I love that you featured my city (and my neighborhood gelato shop) btw, every Italian knows how much of a fuckup the invasion of Ethiopia was for us and the world, and most people here in Milan have some ancestor that got sent to Somalia, Libya or Ethiopia - it is pretty much our greatest shame. Not the obelisk itself, but what we did to the Ethiopians and the Libyans

[@leonardodavid2842]

Chi sa cosa pensano i tedeschi

[@FOLIPE]

And in Ethiopia's case what you failed to do too...

[@sandrojones8068]

Sta zitto

[@betelehemt]

wow un fratello italiano con le palle di ammettere....respect to you!

[@TheMolabola]

respect

[@Yossus]

This is absolutely incredible, I wanna spend part of my time reading about the history of Ethiopia now.

[@stephenyoung5972]

You should note that the Europeans placed an arms embargo on Ethiopia, at the same time selling surplus WWI weapons to Italy, including poison gas. This gas was used against the Ethiopians, along with other atrocities.

[@splatsma]

Should also note that Hitler supplied the Ethiopians with weaponry.

[@lissankifle9530]

over 80,000 were killed in Addis area just from poison gas.

[@splatsma]

@@stephenyoung5972 NAZI ideology had zero issues with different races and peoples outside of the Reich, infact he had great respect for Muslims and other groups. It was just within the Reich that Hitler believed should be a secure and self contained land of the Germans. People just need to actually read up on his thoughts that he literally wrote down in his book and what his contempories said and the laws they enacted. Rather than the opinions of some neckbeard that writes wikipedia articles.

[@Professicchio]

@@splatsma Unfortunately alongside the "self contained land of the Germans" Hitler also includeded a huge chunk of Poland....

[@StopTheLiess]

hitler had no relations with Ethiopia, why lie?@@splatsma

[@engineered_insanity]

I love how you seek these things while travelling. Not a lot of people give attention to these, but ultimately this is how you travel. To find the essence and soul of a land

[@XavierXonora]

Evan, just wow. When I first stumbled onto your videos through your father I was impressed, and I still am. Thank you for your fantastic insight into our planet :)

[@SamVillano]

Dear Mr. Earth, I really enjoy your videos. Thank you, Sam

[@Birch12430]

Vid uploaded 2 min before my break 10/10

[@danheidel]

Those who study history are doomed to watch all the people who didn't repeat it.

[@danheidel]

@@w花b Whoosh...

[@liamwalton4183]

@@danheidel I can understand his confusion. The way you structured the sentence is confusing. "Those who didnt repeat it" Gets read as: people who did not repeat such a thing. Which is the opposite of what you meant I assume. So basically the way you wrote it translates to this: "Those who study history are doomed to watch people not repeating history" As if studying history causes people to repeat it; and never studying history causes people to never repeat it. Which i assume is the opposite of what you meant

[@edgardeloera2874]

@@danheidel If that was a wooosh, it was bloody terrible.

[@seanseanston]

Yeah, I think he meant to say "...who didn't, repeat it." Otherwise I have no idea...

[@renze7133]

seanseanston I was confused as hell but now I get what he meant. You’re right :)

[@fredferd965]

Please do a video about Amba Alagi! That was the Italian's last stand in two eras. Much to learn from that one. WELL DONE!!!!!

[@rantingrodent416]

Great as always! This has been a great season so far. I've noticed one little quirk. You've leaned really heavily on the "I'm not going to talk about about X, I'm going to talk about Y" segue, which seems like a completely unnecessary disclaimer most of the time. This kind of stands out as a weak point because of how strong your scripting is in general.

[@RhysChristian490]

This video was very impactful. Thank you.

[@ianlehman8342]

You'll probably be long out of Italy by the time this video was produced and uploaded, but on the topic of Italy, I think the millenia-old "law" of Omerta, or the battle between Mussolini's Facsim and the Mafia. I feel there's many lessons to be told from Italy's history.

[@ltlbuddha]

Africa was Europe's gold mine. In South Africa quite literally. The wealth pulled from Africa helped build modern Europe and the Americas. As I understand it, the withdrawal of empires from Africa is more complex and it could be argued that they didn't truly withdraw so much as shift to a privatisation of the pillaging.

[@EthiotendoEdits]

Not ethiopia

[@-haclong2366]

You forgot to mention Germany's contributions to help the Ethiopians fight against the Italians.

[@andreagullo1700]

Interesting to see an East Asian who knows these details about the history of my country, you're very cultured!

[@fingersm]

黑龍 - Hắc Long there is a peaceful race! 😂 ffs

[@bobbyhunt100]

Excellent presentation! You have a new subscriber. Many thanks from Australia!

[@paradiseprod6153]

This is why its tough being a soldier. When youre told to go battle but for someone else pride and take the consequence of death upon yourself. I get it doesnt happen today as often (maybe it does but idk.)

[@maj._07hup]

I mean there is the war between the US and Afghanistan

[@hugo8963]

Take as much time as you like because the quality of these videos is so consistently good

[@DehnusNorder]

The castration part has no evidence. In fact the Ethiopians were very good hosts to their Italian POW's (for as much was possible). Their king at the time wasn't an idiot, he knew the war was not popular in Italy, he also knew more about European politics than the Italians arrogantly expected (due to French and Russian advisors on the matter of European politics and the Russians supporting a fellow Orthodox Christian Nation). Especially in the opposition in Italy, he wanted to stress that he blamed the current ruler not the Italian people. Last thing he wanted was to sour things up completely and have an even bigger invasion force of both Italians and British on their hands (whom supported the Italians). Best to kick their arses and be a magnanimous and graceful winner, than to rub it in and end up with more crap afterwards. The man was a lot smarter than given credit for in most western regaling of the first war you've mentioned, and the castration part was probably more what people saw that happened to the Ascari People, whom were brutally tortured maimed/etc. That was a true crime, and one that should have been mentioned. Sorry, not trying to be a know it all, but I do think it should be mentioned how the Ethiopian king was a better leader than even you describe :).

[@leonardodavid2842]

Ethiopian forces were actually better equipped than the Italian forces.

[@AMR_k400]

I am pretty sure they were a little harsh on askaris (eritrean Italian soldiers) cuz they were considered as back stabbing b@$t@rds since eritreans and Ethiopians were seen as one at the time

[@lannyrayconnelljr]

“History lessons are irrelevant” says the guy who’s KZbin channel is based on giving history lessons.

[@Despotic_Waffle]

I think its more voicing how the mainstream population views history. Symbolism instead of lessons.

[@TiborRoussou]

This guys channel was started by his dad. His Dad is Col Chris Hadfield. This channel used to be about space ;)

[@MouseGoat]

but he is right, people seem stuck in symbolisme overshadowing the importance of the events. Like natzis have become the symbol of evil, when we woved to remember it because of it was normal everyday people doing horrible thing because of political conventions. in other words, noting to do with evil, but everything to do with flawedness of humans and blindly following the mainstream. History repeats itself because we don't learn form it, we just remember the symbols.

[@quoth_raven]

No better topping for a pizza than anchovies and capers! I think I hear a bit of pessimism/frustration in this video. Don't let things get you down, you're doing a great job!

[@MrLowrevia]

In Gorgora near Gondar still stands a monument of Mussolinis conquest

[@jasonshibley3695]

I love you man. You're work fuels my soul.

[@taipan8021]

The Thing is the People who initiated the fight stood in the background far from the fight ,while those that Died knew for Not..As Always, it's easy to send someone to die when it isn't You,or Yours..

[@AA-ek5kz]

Your Somaliland series was exceptional journalism and now this. You are my news point from now on.

[@Zany4God]

A remnant of Italy was still in Tripoli, Libya when I was there, 1955-57. They were the civilians who came to settle the land by farming and business. You bring another interesting story about countries, cultures, and peoples who have to deal with the advance of foreign powers, who turn almost everything upside down.

[@sky1ar]

One of my favorite videos of yours, nice

[@jimm2099]

Fantastic as usual. Thank You!

[@blueshark4926]

is there any sources for the mutilation of italian prisoners? also i feel like you do forget to say that ethiopia had international support like russian guns (small arms and artillery) and advisers to the french selling arms to them.

[@nukiradio]

Maybe he forgot to mention that Italy borrowed troops from Spain and boats from Asia minor?

[@blueshark4926]

i did look into the mutilation part a bit and it was a tradition to have a limb cut off but as far as i can tell that didn't happen officially. and the whole mutilation thing might have even come from italian propagandists, yikes.

[@caleb7535]

@@blueshark4926 The mutilations generally happened to the native Eritreans that fought against the Ethiopians as they were seen as traitors of their own kind/people. They were apart of the Italian army, but hardly Italian.

[@blueshark4926]

yeah, but a big thing was that he mentioned italian prisoners, which can mean a lot of things. yes we shouldn't forget about the eriteans that were mutilated but one of the reasons gas was used in ethiopia was because of the supposed* mutilation of italian troops. *this only happened to the eriteans as far as we know and a small amount of italian soldiers maybe

[@GiulioImparato]

ammunition was provided by Britain and France

[@jacobms911]

I disagree about whether history matters independent of symbolism, but I see your point and enjoyed it nonetheless.

[@poorboy2772]

Yeah same

[@elhaddad3435]

Each time I watch a Rare Earth vid I get lost, but I love the video anyway understand the message rare earth trying to give

[@phlave]

Nice video, man. It always makes me chuckle to learn how much my Country used its own arrogance and presumption to get kicked in the balls at every occasion. What I don't understand is why you composed this video with scenes from Milano and the Castello Sforzesco, is this where the Savoia lived? I thought they lived in Turin, but I've always sucked at history.

[@moneyobsessed]

greetings from Italy. Good view about our history on the colonial venture

[@smittysmith6173]

Damn good vid bro. As always.

[@pawneko5248]

They're never got Ethiopia They're never got Thailand

[@WouldntULikeToKnow.]

Bill Wurtz reference?

[@herogebrial]

@@WouldntULikeToKnow. look it up dumb azz

[@Daisy-ct3nh]

That's what Thai means ,free, never colonised.

[@alecity4877]

@@Daisy-ct3nh Nope, Thai means people.

[@zieperegrine5237]

They never got japan

[@dalmarcadde1507]

Thank you for this video. Iam from east Africa and i did not know this history.

[@ursicthepro1778]

Will you do a video on Caporetto? Probably the italy's second biggest shame.

[@amberservold2187]

Amazing job you have...travelling the world!

[@MrEliavm]

i'd love to know how you guys choose where to film, it seems so random- east asia, north america, africa then europe!

[@mxnny20]

Another fantastic video. I never really understood it's history/importance until now.

[@teages]

"Ethiopia" or what was called "Abyssinia" at the time, was literally carved out by the Italians as their protectorate. The nation is pretty much a 600 mile circle centered in Finfinne (Addis Ababa), incorporating random lands and people left over by the british and french partitions. The city of Aksum was part of Italian Eritrea, but it was ceded to Menelik when he rebelled and defeated his Italian overlords by capturing Adwa in 1896.

[@EthiotendoEdits]

The italians said that we were their protectorate even though we really weren't. They declared war on us in 1895 and they lost. We weren't actually their protectorate that's jut what they claimed with the treaty of wichale

[@us3rG]

Axum expands all the way to red sea, Italy British and arabs took that all that, you broke the nation to control trade

[@nicoaerts7257]

Learning about history is learning about man.

[@DeepDarkGames]

didn't the Italians also salt the lands of Ethiopia so that the pH balance of the lands couldn't grow crops in the second world war?

[@alecity4877]

As long as I know, no, that was the roman republic against carthage in the third punic war.

[@alastairward2774]

@@alecity4877 even then, I've read that salting the earth in ancient times was not that likely to have occurred, given the value of salt at the time.

[@alecity4877]

@@alastairward2774 Yeah, it was not common, the case of the third punic war is one that stands out, other mention could be the huns in roman lands, who didn't care how valuable it was because they stole it from the romans they had already attacked.

[@alastairward2774]

@@alecity4877 punishing the Romans using something they'd already stolen from them? ( •_•) Looks like these Huns were... ( •_•)>⌐■-■ ...rubbing salt in the wound. (⌐■_■) YYYYYYYEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@alecity4877]

@@alastairward2774 post this on r/historymemes

[@CybershamanX]

What is the huge broken obelisk next to it? Man, this video made me want to ask a bunch of questions. Time to do some research! Thank you, Evan! :)

[@alastairward2774]

I though that too, given that we see so much of it. Wikipedia has a photo on the main article on Axum, describing it simply as "The largest Aksumite stele, broken where it fell".

[@CybershamanX]

@@alastairward2774 Oh, man! Now I REALLY want to know! Thanks for the information! :)

[@nonamenoname2618]

Nice episode, it makes me wonder how is it possible, that there are still big countries that don't want to admit and apologize for the atrocities they did. Just look at Britain - when Queen Elizabeth was in India 10 years ago and was asked what she thinks about an incident of a few hundred protesters being shot in the 1940' she actually replied: "When the English were everything was great". Is it really so bad if everyone apologizes to everyone? Why can't governments be grown up

[@euphoricnicholas3487]

No I don't think history really matters..... Begins screaming internally

[@Sigurther]

People may prefer symbols to history, but those symbols will always carry the reminder of history and be potential inspiration for those who seek out history.

[@spitfirered]

Excellent, well done Rare Earth

[@Kikilang60]

I lived my whole life next to Canada. I could've done worse. While growing up, I learned Canadian culture by osmosis. What was cool about Canada is view on reality that was so different the United States. There is this Vimy Ridge war monument. Vimy Ridge was this battle where the French thew thousand of lifes to take position. The French failed. Then the Candians came, lost thousands of lives, but beat the Germans, and taken the position. Then the Canadians realized the battle was fair pointless. They didnt hold the positon, they dinn't need to . The Vimy ridge deaths was a tragedy. It was thousand of men dying dying in battle that militarily pointless. Because of this, the Vimy Ridge anti war monument was built. For decades this monument, was an anit war monument. Then American oil money started dumping million of greenback into Canadian politics. For nine year, the Amercan oil concern used Stephen Harper to push their agenda. Canada has always been a country the fought above it's weight. Canada has been the voice of reason in crazy world politics, but under Harper, Canada became the mighty midget who single handly stop the entire world's progress in combating climate change. Stephen Harper became the man who closed down charities who fought poverty. Stephen Harper was a souless puppet of American oil interest. Harper was souless, but he was effective. Canada was a country that had a anti war monument, and changed history so that Vimy ridge was Canada''s finest hour. Canada was a true warrior nation. Now Canadian don't go to Vimy Ridge war monument to see how thousands of lives were lost in a pointless battle, but how Canada became a true aggressive power in world stage. Is that obelisk Italy's greatest shame, or is it a sign that people will beat the drum, beat the drum, beat the drum drum of stupid national pride?

[@WouldntULikeToKnow.]

A video on my birthday?! Thank you!

[@iamsabas]

I don't understand why you used shots of Milan instead of Rome (since the obelisk was placed in Rome until 2005 as you said)

[@RareEarthSeries]

Because I was in Milan and not Rome.

[@what_is_loaf]

Francesco probably lives closer to (or in) Milan, he's the one who filmed the footage

[@iamsabas]

@@RareEarthSeries grazie :)

[@billiondollardan]

Aksum is a city that has lived through more than 2400 years of history! There are still 66,000 people living there today

[@StopTheLiess]

even the obelisk is much older than what everyone is saying because its from pagan days, before Moses.

[@heavyhanded1782]

I forgot to sub with this account because of the Gap in content and was glad to see a handful of new videos then a new one a few hours later to boot. Your subs have been skyrocketing too I remember them being closer to 50,000 something unless im confusing you with someone else. But I don't think so

[@alpineflauge909]

thanks

[@johnnesbit2371]

I think anchovies on pizza are for when you feel like 'anchovies on the pizza.'

[@iramvelazquez5397]

Incredible videos!!!

[@mikaelameadows7408]

Good stuff as always.

[@petermaffay8312]

If anyone wonders what happened to the obelisk broken in pieces next to the returned obelisk, its thought that this one brole when they tried to erect it long long ago. Also those obelisks are tombstones for the mighty of that time

[@Apodeipnon]

Awesome story!

[@theplinkerslodge6361]

Well done, young man.

[@ZaBiMaRuSz]

i love your videos

[@carltomacruz9138]

I wonder if the obelisk still stands, with the civil war now raging in Northern Ethiopia.

[@EthiotendoEdits]

It does

[@Quintaner]

Fun fact: Mussolini’s granddaughter, who still uses that last name, is an Italian member of the European Parliament, and is not only non-apologetic but is actively defensive of her grandfather. Her grandfather who, once again, was Benito Mussolini.

[@roundduck7005]

Of course. Glory to his name. Glory to Italia

[@ethiop2007]

Great job!! The whole concept of returning the Axum oblisk is a simple way of saying it belongs to you Ethiopians, sorry for the things "then" done! And we respect the Italians for that. unlike France and British empire which untilill today complain on ex colony to give more and more and more and more and more and more!!!!

[@marcobeardo1410]

I think it'd be honest to say that many stole a lot from Africa and the Obelisk of Axum is one of very few items that ever returned to that continent.

[@evilpellu]

1:40 thanks for the gratuitous stereotypical offense .Let me give you a tip : next time mention both mafia and spaghetti while frantically gesturing with your hands for maximum effect

[@BigLiftsITA]

Ma dai smettila non dirmi che ti offende...

[@eruno_]

Take a joke

[@evilpellu]

Vagamente. Non tanto per sto canale, Rare Earth è interessante e ben fatto, ma trovami un posto online dove gli italiani non vengano sottilmente derisi solo per essere italiani. Dopo un po’ gira il cazzo, ma mi rendo pure conto che è una reazione un po’ fuori luogo. Tant’è 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@BigLiftsITA]

@UCccGVkX2QH0CZkmnHCBM6FA bisogna farsi due domande... comunque se è per questo anche gli americani sono derisi perché americani e così tutti i popoli. A parer mio gli stereotipi sono la cosa più utile al mondo: ti permettono di vedere un modello negativo tipico del tuo paese dal quale tenersi lontani, perché a volte quando ci si è immersi non ci se ne accorge nemmeno

[@evilpellu]

Sono parzialmente d’accordo, ma a volte anche quando si è lontani da uno stereotipo questo rimane appiccicato addosso ; certi stereotipi, come quelli razziali, ti sono calati addosso indipendentemente dalle tue azioni e influenzano il comportamento che le persone hanno verso di te ( i.e : in Inghilterra mi è stato chiesto di raggirare un barista “dato che ero italiano e avrei dovuto saperlo fare”) . Ora , apparte questo la cosa qui era messa a battuta e la si accetta ma credo mi abbia fatto storcere il naso sentirlo detto su un canale di istruzione e insegnamento : mi fa mettere in dubbio quanto di quello che viene raccontato sia a sua volta influenzato da uno stereotipo che non conosco abbastanza bene da poter correttamente percepire come tale. Boh , alla fine non è che sia un affronto all’onore o una cazzata del genere, mi ha solo fatto rimanere un po’ male 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@GrievousPlay]

Such a symbol of pride and joy.

[@nyxxie023]

lol, I hit subscribe but I was already subscribed.

[@robertkingsnorth9903]

I'm not sure, but a lot of the Italian footage seems to be from Milan, but it's not mentioned why. Why is that?

[@RareEarthSeries]

Because I was in Milan.

[@robertkingsnorth9903]

@@RareEarthSeries aha said piglet :)

[@habi7471]

its clear it was occupation for 5 years while patriots are fighting for freedom never colonization ..tnx for making it clear

[@johnnesbit2371]

History is the Sword of the Symbol.

[@soundknight]

Your first statement is always the most important.

[@banosisbest4976]

If that obelisk signifies the Italian army during ww1 and ww2, it is the greatest shame.

[@TheNurseBetty0]

anchovies on pizza as a child has made me violently loathe the taste of pizza... everything a pizza is i love separately, but all together and i would rather not eat than eat pizza, I actually gag when trying to eat it.. which does not make me fun at parties, thanks dad

[@slothfulcobra]

It is odd how ancient monuments get forgotten and have to be rediscovered and re-imagined in modern contexts. Greece wound up stepping all over their medieval heritage of what was done with the old ruins (like cloisters of holymen living up on top of a pillar) in order to rebuild them according to classical blueprints in the name of supporting their fairly new image of nationalism.

[@luissalcedo6493]

To be fair, Greek nationalism was to that point based in Byzantine nostalgia. The only reason they got western European support because they thought the Greeks were still larping as toga-wearing pagans.

[@uprightape100]

And if the Brits return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, and the Crown Jewels to Pakistan and wherever else they were plundered from, then I would say "cool".

[@AnyBodyWannaPeanut]

Great video! Just one small thing... Do you think you can work on your cadence? Every sentence you say sounds the same with the same ending inflection. Try to change it up and just pretend you're talking to us instead of sounding like you're reading from a script. :)

[@putrangos]

Isn't it funny, the symbol of pride is also a symbol for 4 times the shame.

[@raphlvlogs271]

History can be used as a tool to explore the future.

[@Arcaryon]

Something to take away from this - most countries that are not yet fully developed and struggle with poverty usually don't care much for monuments and ancient artifacts but if someone were to take them, the outcry would be heard all over the world. It's an odd psychological phenomenon that has not been explored all that much. Just like most people don't visit museums and still love to complain about these matters in quite a noisy manner. Just a little thought to keep in mind.

[@pixelghostclyde8717]

I wish it fucking was. The crimes we committed for vain glory in Africa were obscene on their own, but they were also an appalling betrayal of the principles our founding fathers held most dear.

[@t.j.payeur5331]

Good work...

[@jackstyle6565]

Greatest story teller of our time. ❤️ from malaysia

[@lewisdaniels4228]

0:50 also Liberia

[@danielabraham5901]

Liberia? It is a "US colony" bearing a US flag, miss me with that!

[@ncc74656m]

Shot by "Clean Your Lenses," thanks dirt, you exist. ;)

[@katahadfield]

katie_incredible hahahaha. You have no idea how much dust processing went into this and yet...

[@Salightress]

Axum is a funny place. The town us so small, but the obelisks are Huge, and theres this clear underlying sense of something ancient that used to be there. It can be a but surreal to visit in my opinion. I didnt know the Italians stole the obelisk. Talk about an embarrasing symbol of failure. Almost as bad as the bullet holes in the Lalibela churches

[@INIJAHTONI]

accurate

[@harrycaffreymaffei6405]

I was really thinking this was going to be a different Italian obelisk, but this obelisk has a much better conclusion that Mussolini’s

[@CF4959]

this channel needs a video about the CONCENTRATION CAMPS that USA has today. can you make a video about that? thank you for letting me suggest it

[@muaddib7685]

Jeez, been doing ALOT of traveling lately? They been pumping out vids Las of late

[@GrievousPlay]

Just rember what is reflected is more rare