Why is a Ancient Egyptian Obelisk in St.Peters?

Question

My question is doesnt it go against the teaching of Christianity. And sybolize that other realigons make things that look better then the bassilica.

Answer 1

The Romans were infatuated with obelisks, to the extent that there are now more than twice as many obelisks standing in Rome as remain in Egypt. All fell after the Roman period except for the Vatican obelisk and were re-erected in different locations.

Rome is the obelisk capital of the world. The most prominent is the 25.5 m obelisk at Saint Peter's Square in Rome. The obelisk had stood since A.C.E. 37 on its site on the wall of the Circus of Nero, flanking St Peter's Basilica:

The Circus of Nero in ancient Rome begun by Caligula on the property of his mother Agrippina and finished by Nero stand in the Ager Vaticanus . The circus was the site of the first organized, state-sponsored martyrdoms of Christians in 65. Two years later, Saint Peter among many less famous Christians shared their fate. The circumstances were described in detail by Tacitus in a well-known passage of the Annals, while Nero competed in the races.

The plans of the Circus of Nero superposed with the old and the new St Peter's Basilica show that the tomb of Peter, now beneath the High Altar, also formed the center of the apse of the old Basilica of St Peter: the axis on which the basilicas have been built has remained unchanged.

Answer 2

Saw it about a month ago, and was curious myself:

Emperor Augustus had it moved from Heliopolis to Alexandria.

Caligula ordered it moved to Rome and placed in the Circus.

In 1586 Pope Sixtus V had it moved to its current location in honor of the martyrdom of St Peter. The modern Square and colonnade was built around it.

Historians speculate that it was more the pope flexing his dominance (showing off his power and influence) than any intent to honor St Peter.

There is a fresco in the Vatican library illustrating the moving of the obelisk.

There is a story about its raising: Pope Sixtus V ordered the huge crowd of spectators to remain silent under pain of death. But the ropes were about to break under the strain, and so one of the workers risked his life and screamed, "Water on the ropes!" and thus saved the obelisk from crashing into a million pieces. The Pope was grateful and ordered that from then on that all the Vatican's Palm Sunday fronds would be purchased in the worker's home town.

Answer 3

In A.D. 37 (40?), the then Roman Emperor Caligula transported it to Rome, and erected it in the Caligula Circus (later the Nero Circus (Circus Gai et Neronis), or the Vatican Circus). This site is the side of current St. Peter's Cathedral.

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As a pagan monument in the greatest Christian square, it is a symbol of humanity reaching out to Christ. Originally inscribed to "Divine Augustus" and "Divine Tiberius" and now dedicated to the Holy Cross - "Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat. Christus ab omni malo plebem suam defendat." It is topped by a bronze cross containing a fragment of the true Cross.

A large pink granite obelisk can be admired in the center of the square. It was hewn from a single block and stands 25.31 m. high on a base 8.25 m. wide. The obelisk which comes from Heliopolis, Egypt, where it was built by the Pharaoh Mencares in 1835 BC in honor of the sun, was brought to Rome in 37 BC by the Emperor Caligula (37-41) and erected in the circus he built. Here it was silent witness of the martyrdom of St. Peter and of many other Christians. In 1586 Sixtus V had it moved to the center of St. Peter's Square. This operation, which required hundreds of workmen, was directed by Domenico Fontana with the help of his brother, Giovanni, and took four months. It was erected on September 10, 1586 by 900 men using 140 horses and 44 winches.

Answer 4

Vaticano
Pharaoh - Amenemhat II

From Heliopolis, but lacks hieroglyphs. Brought to Rome by Caligula in 37AD for the Vatican Circus. Erected by Pope Sixtus V in 1586 using a method devised by Domenico Fontana; the first monumental obelisk raised in the modern period.

Answer 5

because they were apart of the ancient Egyptian secret societies, some probably still are. Trust, those things are all over the world.

Answer 6

Just one of many "souvenirs" taken from other places that were conquered, or gifts given from other cultures.

Answer 7

Ha....you noticed?...cool.
I asked that same question..many, many years ago.