This obelisk is a pair with Dogali Obelisk, and one of obelisks which were originally erected for the Sun Temple in Heliopolis by Ramses II. It's considered that the obelisks were transported to Rome from Heliopolis in around the era of Emperor Claudius of 1st Century. This obelisk was discovered underground at near the Piazza della Minerva. The site was an important temple in the Roman Empire Era, Iseum (the Temple of Isis) had been there. Therefore, this obelisk would probably used for Iseum. After excavation, this obelisk was erected in the garden of the "Villa Medici" (Medici House) in Rome (Close to Spagna Station of Metro Line A). Then it was moved again to the current location, Boboli Gardens in Florence by Medici Family in 1790. A copy of this obelisk now stands in the Villa Medici garden.
The obelisk is well conserved, particularly on the south face, the inscription remains finely. The horus name and birth name of Ramses II can be read clearly. However, the inscription ends in the middle of sentence, the lower part of the obelisk have been lost, we understand that the obelisk is shorter than the original length. Source: (
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