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The Ancient Egyptians erected numerous tall monuments. The four-sided single piece of stone, called obelisk, stands upright, gradually tapering as it rises and terminating in a small pyramid called a "pyramidion". A glittering pyramidion was covered with gold or copper as it is now on the obelisk on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Obelisks were known to the ancient Egyptians as Tekhenu, a term whose origin is unknown. When the Greeks became interested in Egypt,they gave the name "obeliskos", from which the modern name "obelisks" is derived. Obliskos is a Greek diminutive meaning "small spit". The name was applied to obelisks because of their tall, narrow shape. The shape was said to be modeled after the rays of the sun, which the Ancient Egyptians worshipped. Obelisks were decicated to the sun god shrines at Heliopolis, the main center of the sun god's worship. Although the date at which obelisks were first erected is not known, a type of stone resembling the pyramidion of an obelisk was apparently considered sacred to the sun god(Atum or Re) even before the early period of the united kingdoms (3000B.C.). Such stones were known as benben. The kings of the Fifth Dynasty (2490-2340 B.C.) were probably the earliest rulers to decorate their temples with obelisks. Since the Eleventh and Twelveth Dynasties(2040-1800 B.C.), pharaohs (kings of Upper and Lower Egypt) dedicated pairs of obelisks to temples in Heliopolis, Thebes, Memphis, Piramesse and Tanis. These obelisks were decorated with inscriptions to commemorate the greatness of the pharoes, the length of their reign, their victories in wars. This practice was continued throughout the pharaonic period. The majority of obelisks were erected between the Eitheenth and the Twenty-fifth Dynasties (1567?-1085 B.C.). The prosperity of the Egyptian Dynasties came to an end when Queen Cleopatra XII of Ptolemy surrendered to the first Roman Emperor, Augustus in 30B.C. Romans brought more than 50 ancient obelisks from Egypt and decorated Rome with them. Today, thirteen remain in Rome, one in Florence, one in Istanbul. Besides those brought during the Roman Empire, there are four obelisks in Paris, London, Kingston Lacy(Dorcet, U.K.) and New York. They were given by Egyptian pashas in the nineteenth century. Only a few obelisks still stand in ancient temples in Egypt as they stood when they were erected by pharaohs. In this hopepage, you can enjoy these precious obelisks through my original photos. I would be very happy if those who visit my homepage could share my fascination with the astonishing feature of the four-sided polished obelisks with pyramidions piercing the sky like a Spaceshuttle waiting to be launched into space. Oh, OBELISKS!
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