OBELISK OF THEODOSIUS I, CONSTANTINOPLE
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Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I - Latin inscription
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I
Base of the Obelisk of Theodosius I - Greek inscription
These photographs illustrate the obelisk in the Hippodrome of Constantinople, which was erected by the Emperor Theodosius I in 390 CE.
The text of the Latin inscription reads:
DIFFICILIS QVONDAM, DOMINIS PARERE SERENIS
IVSSVS ET EXTINCTIS PALMAM PORTARE TYRANNIS.
OMNIA THEODOSIO CEDVNT SVBOLIQVE PERENNI.
TER DENIS SIC VICTVS EGO DOMITVSQVE DIEBVS.
IUDICE SVB PROCLO SUPERAS ELATVS AD AVRAS.
Translation: 'Once it was difficult to conquer me, but I was ordered to obey mild masters and to carry the subdued tyrants' palm. Everything cedes to Theodosius and his eternal descendants. Thus conquered I was tamed in thrice ten days. When Proculus was judge, I was erected to the skies.'
The Greek inscription translates:
'It was only the Emperor Theodosius who succeeded in raising the four-sided column which had ever lain as a burden to the earth. He committed the task to Proclus, and so great a column stood erect in thirty-two days.'
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