Who stole the obelisk of Axum and what was the purpose of taking it?
Who stole the obelisk of Axum and what was the purpose of taking it? The Italian occupation of Ethiopia ended in 1937 with looting, in which King Ezana's obelisk of Axum was taken to Italy as war booty. The monolith was cut into three pieces and transported by truck along the tortuous route between Axum and the port of Massawa, taking five trips over a period of two months.
Why was the obelisk moved?
Over time, many obelisks lost their original meanings, and many collapsed and were buried by rising ground levels. Centuries later, a number of popes would resurrect these structures, changing their locations, and giving them yet another set of interpretations.
Why was obelisk abandoned?
Believed to have been commissioned by Hatshepsut (c. 1473–1458 BC) for the temple of Amun in Karnak, work was abandoned because of flaws in the stone and the presence of multiple fissures.
Why was the obelisk given to France?
In 1830 the Sultan and Viceroy of Egypt Mehemet Ali decided to offer the two obelisks standing in front of the Luxor Temple (Thebes, Egypt) to King Charles X of France. It was a gesture of friendship and gratitude for the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs by Champollion.