The Obelisk of Theodosius was transported from Egypt to Istanbul by the Roman emperor Constantius. At first I thought it strange to have an Egyptian obelisk, complete with hyrogliphics in the center of Turkey, but upon reflection, realized that Egypt was then part of the Roman Empire and Egyptian arts and wonders should be present in other parts of the empire. Each of its four faces has a single central column of inscription, celebrats Tutmoses III's victory on the banks of the river Euphrates in 1450 BC. I love the art, but marvel how often it is used to exalt the military and the political powers of the day.
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