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Obelisks were prominent in the architecture of the ancient Egyptians, and played a vital role in their religion placing them in pairs at the entrance of the temples.The word "obelisk" as used in English today is of Greek rather than Egyptian origin because Herodotus, the Greek traveler, was one of the first classical writers to describe the objects.
The obelisk and its base contain a number of inscriptions. Two ancient inscriptions at the base of the shaft describe its original dedication in Rome, four inscriptions on the pedestal composed by Cardinal Silvio Antoniano describe its rededication in 1586, and lower down, in smaller script, is an acknowledgement of Domenico Fontana's role in the moving of the obelisk.
The dagger symbol †, also called an obelisk, [10] is derived from the obelus, and continues to be used for this purpose. The obelus is believed to have been invented by the Homeric scholar Zenodotus, as one of a system of editorial symbols. They marked questionable or corrupt words or passages in manuscripts of the Homeric epics. [9]
The largest known obelisk, the unfinished obelisk, was never erected and was discovered in its original quarry. It is nearly one-third larger than the largest ancient Egyptian obelisk ever erected (the Lateran Obelisk in Rome); if finished it would have measured around 41.75 metres (137.0 ft) [ 6 ] and would have weighed nearly 1,090 tonnes ...
The ancient Egyptian Obelisk hieroglyph, Gardiner sign listed no. O25 is a portrayal of the obelisk.The hieroglyph is commonly used on erected Egyptian obelisks, as there is often a discussion of the event of its erection: a historical event, as well as an accomplishment of the pharaoh, and the Egyptian Kingdom.
Cardinal Capponi, who was supervising the project, was so enthralled that he asked for it to be written up, and this was the origin of the work. [ 5 ] : 493–4 In fact Kircher's study had revealed that the same inscriptions were repeated on the different sides of the obelisk, so he was able to predict what would be found on parts he had not ...
List of place names in Canada of aboriginal origin; List of indigenous names of Eastern Caribbean islands; Origins of names of cities and towns in Hong Kong; Lists of North American place name etymologies; List of place names of French origin in the United States; List of place names of Spanish origin in the United States
Obelisk – Tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top Obelix – Cartoon character in the French comic book series Asterix Orthostates – Man-made large stone slabs set in upright position