The Oldest Monument in Rome

Lateran Obelisk, c. 1400 B.C.E., originally erected at the temple of Amun, Karnak by Thutmose III and Thutmose IV at a height of 32 meters; now roughly 4 meters shorter), monolith of red granite, 28 meters high (moved to Alexandria by Constantine, and later erected in the spina of the Circus Maximus in Rome by Constantius II in 357 C.E., re-erected at the Lateran in 1587 by Domenico Fontana for Pope Sixtus V
speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker

[@realhawaii5o]

This thing was ancient in the Roman times. Incredible, isn't it? They were already over 1 millennium old at the time of arrival in Rome.

[@Ntyler01mil]

It was already over 1,750 years old when it was brought to Rome.

[@saloneman3768]

Incredible, these ancient Egyptians

[@alioshax7797]

Roughly the same time separates this obelisk from Constantin than Constantin from us.

[@StarCrusher.]

What's most astonishing is that almost the entire history of this monument is in fact inscribed on the monument and its base itself. The Latin poem describing the journey to Rome is a piece of art in itself.

[@nicholaswirth1011]

Can’t believe I missed this one while in Rome yet another reason to go back!

[@VinnyUnion]

To casually go back? Are you sitting on a sack of gold?!

[@nicholaswirth1011]

@@VinnyUnion haha I wish!

[@richardyin3495]

I was just there, looking at this magnificent relic this morning. Thank you for providing more information and context, now I can have a whole new appreciation of it. ( May go back tomorrow just to see it again.) while I am in Italy I rewatched a lot of your videos to refresh my memory. I really appreciate all the fantastic content you have on the channel.

[@worldcitizeng6507]

If you are interested in travel tips, I made short videos of my Egypt/Jordan journey in September/October 2021. Its posted on my profile, feel free to check it out 🙂 There's an Egyptian Obilisk in Istanbul also near Hagia Sophia church

[@bev9708]

YES, it’s so wonderful to listen and RElisten to their videos when you are right there in front of the piece , it adds sooo much to our enjoyment and appreciation … one of the greatest pleasures !!! Could I also recommend the channel Stories of Art… he has some great videos for a few pieces in Rome too!

[@steveschmitz2839]

You guys never disappoint. Bravo! Thank you.

[@anacletwilliams8315]

Bravo!

[@giubilanc6469]

Steven and Beth your voices made me fall in love with your channel, subsequently with art, history & culture. Thank you. Silky voiced friends!

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thank you for reaching out and for your very generous comment. It is most appreciated.

[@3John-Bishop]

Mindblowing

[@peepinR]

I am still amazed at how this place is overlooked so much when people talk about the sights of Rome. When I was there I was just as impressed with it as St Peters Basilica

[@louisyock9285]

While true, I lived in Rome for 5 years and even led a couple tours there. With every step, a knowledgable person can point in a different direction and talk about 3000+ years of history about that step. When I went back on my own I had new things to learn. Rome is just phenomenal, and there is so much hiding in plain sight.

[@ingridllinas5612]

Ancient civilization’s legacy keep impressing in present times. Beautiful as most of the monuments in Rome.

[@bev9708]

WONDERFUL, as always!!! Many many thanks

[@huajie666liu8]

This obelisk just champions the church. Although it is imported, it blends with the church and the atmosphere so excellently. And it enhances the air surrounding it to have a solemn and heavenly emotion to it.

[@Alanoffer]

We have one in London as well on the embankment of the Thames , I’ve no idea which one is older ,but it was also brought by boat from Egypt , I am alaways fascinated by it when I’m passing by , they are incredible things

[@abraxas1983]

indeed. just this one was shipped 1000 years before with a different technology. but both fascinating!

[@lococholo2857]

wonderful and short video of such a beautiful monument.. Thank you for your awesome work.. Cheers

[@hypercomms2001]

I am amazed at the repairs that were done... how is it managing to stay connected? What repairs were done and how?

[@alin60]

Thank you for the videos. Started watching my freshman year of college (2015) for my art appreciation class, and haven’t stopped since.

[@S_M_360]

Was the first obelisk I saw yesterday in the Uber drive from the airport, amazing video! Thank you!

[@lando8093]

That was wonderful, thank you!

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

There's one in London too, same pharaoh, but you have it younger. It was made for the Pharaoh Thotmes III in 1460 BC, making it almost 3,500 years old.

[@jrodriguez8216]

makes me want to go back annd see it again

[@anacletwilliams8315]

I think that's exactly what you should do.

[@worldcitizeng6507]

Would you cover the Obilisk at Istanbul? It's also located not far from Hagia Sophia. Another Obilisk near Concord is Paris, Would be nice to know the history too🙂

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We hope to some day

[@Jacob-kq6wb]

Thanks very much for the great information. I LOVE ❤️

[@starcrib]

Thank you for This: as stunning Ancient Egyptian achievement. 🌿✨️✨️✨️✨️🌿

[@gianpaolotodde1361]

What a great video!! Bravi! Keep it up, you've fully earned my subscription. 👍

[@Tekmirion]

Thanks for the information!

[@andyroo9381]

I have been to Rome about 4 or 5 times. I still have not seen everything there is to see. This was so interesting and I learned something new today. Thank you.

[@Diogenes_43]

What’s weird is that monument was created further back in time to Constantine than we are to him.

[@Sasha0927]

I'm just mad at the way Constantine's head fell over in the edit. 😂🙊 The obelisks must've been quite the sight with their reflective tops and I'd love to hear more about the figures atop the Lateran church.

[@Pocketfarmer1]

Would have been nice to hear a translation of the hyroglifics.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We've linked to a translation in the comments below.

[@giulianoradice4715]

English Wikipedia è incompleta perché nell'elenco degli obelischi egizi dimentica il minuscolo obelisco egizio del museo archeologico di Firenze.

[@bostonblackie9503]

With global warming, pollution , etc, steps should be taken to protect ancient monuments such as this and Stonehenge, among others. They wont last forever but steps should be taken to preserve them as long as possible.

[@TheSgtk9]

How was the monument repaired from 3 parts to it's restored finish?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Filled areas at the breaks are visible and can be seen in the photos if you look closely. Apparently the monolith lost roughly four meters in height when it was repaired, presumably these were the parts that had broken into small bits or had weakened. photo set: www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=domenicofontana&user_id=82032880%40N00&view_all=1

[@mikeFolco]

A beacon for Humanity!

[@VocalEdgeTV]

Was just there. So beautiful. Totally life-ruining trip, but the sites were incredible.

[@enniomojica7812]

How did it ruin your life?

[@sebharz]

It's impressive standing next to it :)

[@李飛飛大燒B]

glory to rome!

[@johna.4334]

Glory to Egypt.

[@Alfie-ft3bx]

Glory to the Commonwealth

[@chemicalfrankie1030]

The way they moved the obelisk from Alexandria to Rome is… unexpected. Can someone explain how they did it?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

You can read more about this in the ancient sources, Pliny, etc. If you can read German, look at the work of Armin Wirsching.

[@sarcasmo57]

It looks in pretty good shape.

[@rossrreyes]

I love Rome, and I think Obelisks are historically important to the aesthetic of Rome, but I am surprised Egypt hasn't asked for them back in this day and age

[@marcobeardo1410]

Egypt can't claim them back, as modern Egypt state has nothing to do with ancient one that was a province of Rome. A different story is the one of Ethiopian obelisk of Axum that was looted by Italy during fascism and recenty given back to the original owner.

[@Astronometric]

Egypt at the time was already part of Rome so was not stolen. The Egyptian Pantheon was recognized by Rome and many Romans actually worshiped them. Not to mention that most obelisks in Rome were actually commissioned and not taken from preexisting temples.

[@khankrum1]

@@marcobeardo1410 Just as the present day Greeks have nothing to do with the Elgin Marbles!

[@saloneman3768]

@@marcobeardo1410 modern Egypt is the successor state of ancient Egypt. They have a claim to these objects.

[@marcobeardo1410]

@@saloneman3768 As far as I know, Egypt never claimed them back, as there's no legal basis for that to ever happen. When obelisks were moved to Rome, Egypt was a Roman province, so they basically moved stuff from a Roman province to another one. Nothing was really stolen. It'd be absurd, like if we (Italians) claimed the property of all Roman monuments around Europe, Africa and Asia. They shall stay where they are. And we (Italians) are not the successor of Romans, at least not more than any people feeling part of Western Civilization. We are all successors of the Romans and Greeks, so the Obelisks of Rome are a little bit yours, too.

[@anacletwilliams8315]

Very interesting indeed.

[@antony5430]

So what does the ancient egypt text on this obelisk say? If you are talking about it. Why are you not telling what is written on it in hyroglyphics?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We link to a translation in the comments below. The text praises the kings and gods.

[@mauritiusdunfagel9473]

How old was the thing?

[@nicolasinvernizzi6140]

the obelisk was as old to the romans that brought it to rome as those same romans are to us.

[@vashonm]

Have pictures of that building and the monument wow took it feb 2022

[@KaterinaFerrara]

San Giovanni è la mia preferita a Roma. My favorite ❤

[@shastasilverchairsg]

Ancient Egypt was to the ancient Romans as ancient Rome is to us.

[@hakim3345]

Indeed.

[@nathanielscreativecollecti6392]

Are there more Egyptian obelisks in Egypt or Rome today? On another note, did you do a video on the church?

[@anacletwilliams8315]

Yes, there are many other Egyptian obelisks in Rome. Where else?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Apparently there are eight Egyptian obelisks currently in Rome though some that were once there have since been moved to other cities. And that wasn't enough for the ancient Romans who created at least five their very own Egyptian-style obelisks! See the Piazza Navona and the obelisk there made for the Roman emperor Domitian (the one that Tom Hanks splashed under in the movie). Actual Egyptian obelisks have also been taken to other cities including Istanbul, Paris, London, New York and other cities. Here is a handy list: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Egyptian_obelisks

[@giulianoradice4715]

@@anacletwilliams8315 Firenze 2 obelischi, Urbino, Benevento!

[@anacletwilliams8315]

@@giulianoradice4715 Yes, one small example in each of those places. The largest concentration of obelisks in the world is in Rome. Not even in Egypt there is one city with more obelisks than Rome.

[@giulianoradice4715]

@@anacletwilliams8315 a Roma ci sono anche obelischi moderni:2 a Villa Torlonia (provenienti dalle cave di Baveno sul lago Maggiore ) che hanno una storia molto interessante,2 a Villa Borghese,1 a Villa Medici, 1 al Foro Italico che è oggetto di aspre polemiche ,2 all'EUR. Questi obelischi, ingiustamente trascurati, dovrebbero, invece, essere oggetto di studio!

[@danielhicks2008]

can you see where it has been repaired if you are in front of it?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Yes, and in fact you can see the repairs in my photos in the video or on Flickr here: www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=lateranob&user_id=82032880%40N00&view_all=1

[@danielhicks2008]

@@smarthistory-art-history thank you so much for sharing!

[@KevinBReynolds]

Who put that christian cross on top of it?

[@csabo1725]

Some asshole pope

[@Nivenvids]

The Pagans

[@taputechnic]

I was in Rome for New Year's and stayed less than a kilometer from this obelisk, but I didn't see it. Next time, I guess.

[@Fwuzeem]

That is monumental

[@YawnGod]

Nifty.

[@alex0589]

That thing was old before all the very old things were even made

[@HittokiriBatosai]

Pagan obelisk dedicated to the sun God rescued by a Catholic pope. History is funny sometimes.

[@nicolasinvernizzi6140]

the funny thing is that if people see something like that in a movie or book the say that is "unrealistic" and bad writing but history is filled with curiosities like this and i love that.

[@clumsydad7158]

insane and fascinating story speaking of the grandeur, greed, techne, and historical depths of humanity ... and overall our dependence on symbolism. ty

[@sbkarajan]

What does hieroglyphs say? Can anyone today read it?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Yes, you can find the translation here: archive.org/stream/twelveegyptiano00parkgoog/twelveegyptiano00parkgoog_djvu.txt

[@ssherrierable]

How are they gonna put a cross on top of that thing that has all other types of gods all over it? It’s not supposed to work like that.

[@CrossoverGameReviews]

An Egyptian monument on a plinth with Latin wording topped with Christian decor. It's like a weird Christmas tree.

[@brucass93]

💙💙💙

[@Theodisc]

There were pyramidions atop the great pyramids as well, foci used for the power the pyramids displayed and also (possibly) effectuated as. "Cleopatra's Needle is the popular name [from the french "les Aiguilles de Cléopatra] for each of a pair of ancient Egyptian obelisks re-erected in London and New York City in 1877 and 1881 respectively"[wiki]. I do know that the ottoman ruler of Egypt had earlier offered "Cleopatra's Needle" to the english in 1819 for it's help with Egypt's "rapid modernisation" but the object remained in Alexandria until 1877. In 1830 another ottoman satrap ruler of Egypt granted one of the "Obélisques de Louxor" to the french where it stands to this day attaining grime in the Place de la Concorde near the centre of Paris (its taller twin thankfully remains at home in Luxor, Egypt). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Egyptian_obelisks

[@surfsands]

Such an amazing monument, and the Italians just park their cars around it...

[@guest_informant]

1:25 Not to Scale

[@smarthistory-art-history]

ha!

[@giovanesantos7796]

SOL INVICTUS

[@katuramuleo8604]

I fail to understand how you Europeans feel soo much pride in being thieves.having stolen soo much from africa and failing to give credit to the africans that built all these obelisks both in France Rome and England.

[@mapoleo]

like the pyramids, think of how many great people saw it and we can see it now

[@jhake67]

EGYPTIAN TREASURES AND ARTIFACTS HAS BEEN RANSACKED SINCE ANCIENT TIMES... IF ONLY THE PYRAMIDS COULD BE MOVED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LOOTEDTOO

[@hm5142]

Of course the pyramids at Giza were not taken away, but the fine stone casing was in fact taken to build Cairo. That seems to be the way of the world.

[@TheGogeta222]

Just imagine the ships just accidently dropping it into the ocean how would the captain explain that

[@ScaryRevenant]

Sad the Romans let so much get destroyed over time

[@kimfleury]

The Christian Cross was placed atop the obelisk signifying that Jesus Christ is Lord of All, King of Kings, Triumphant over False gods.

[@dilipaweeratunga]

😂😂😂

[@matthew-jy5jp]

It's amazing to me that the Romans could be so smart in engineering and architecture, plumbing, hydronics and in some cases even Heating. And on the other hand be the most bloodthirsty most depraved people on the planet

[@michieldeprez4025]

One fueled the other. Rome's military expansion in many ways financed her monumental architecture. Very fascinating indeed.

[@davep5647]

@matthew: Reminds me of the current state of affairs.Not much has changed over 2000 yrs.Its the human condition.

[@dayros2023]

LoL they weren’t that bloodthirsty for their age, and for sure they weren’t depraved. That’s just modern hollywood that want them to look bad.

[@giuseppepuglisi3980]

I mean, i'm not gonna say that the Romans were nice, especially for the people that found themselves on the wrong end of their expansion sometimes and for those at the bottom of their society in part, but they weren't particularly more cruel than most ancient or even some not so ancient civilazations.

[@barrymoore4470]

@@dayros2023 The games with their human and animal slaughter, cheered on by the masses, are depraved from today's perspective. Also slavery, endemic in the Greco-Roman world, is inherently cruel and exploitative.

[@ahmedabualkhaiir]

Bring back our (Egyptian) monuments.

[@ezrathegreatconqueror]

They’re not yours, you’re just Arab or Mamluk living in Egypt

[@vesnanuspahic7510]

way ROME way not CONSTANTINOPOLJ🤔

[@jamesbarnett2483]

Let’s go back to using “B.C.” and “A.D.” please?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Would that be kind to all the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jains, adherents of Shinto, Daoists, Jews, Confucians, Sikhs, Zoastrians, atheists, agnostics, or Christians with a sense generosity to the wider world?

[@amirzaki7040]

Nice video. Is this cultural appropriation? Egypt should get its stolen artifacts back.

[@gabrieleguerrisi4335]

Not at all. They were more imported than stolen. And it was almost 2000 years ago. When no one of the current states was being a thing. No one can claim for the ancient egypt heritage... Or do you want that us, as italians, will claim for roman heritage over the world? They will just stand on your knees in front of us... Should english come back on the trees, where my ancestors found them 2k year ago? Should Usa demolish all his monuments and establish senate in a tepee? Oh no. They should call it differently. The senate was born in Rome. And so on...

[@FrancescoBarberoIT]

Egypt was part of the Roman Empire