hem.

7. Now an obelisk is a rough stone, rising to a great height, shaped
like a pillar in the stadium; and it tapers upwards in imitation of a
sunbeam, keeping its quadrilateral shape, till it rises almost to a
point, being made smooth by the hand of a sculptor.

8. On these obelisks the ancient authority of elementary wisdom has
caused innumerable marks of strange forms all over them, which are
called hieroglyphics.

9. For the workmen, carving many kinds of birds and beasts, some even
such as must belong to another world, in order that the recollection of
the exploits which the obelisk was designed to commemorate might reach
to subsequent ages, showed by them the accomplishment of vows which the
kings had made.

10. For it was not the case then as it is now, that the established
number of letters can distinctly express whatever the human mind
conceives; nor did the ancient Egyptians write in such a manner; but
each separate character served for a separate noun or verb, and
sometimes even for an entire sense.

11. Of which fact the two following may for the present be sufficient
instances: by the figure of a vulture they indicate the name of nature;
because naturalists declare that no males are found in this class of
bird. And by the figure of a bee making honey they indicate a king;
showing by such a sign that stings as well as sweetness are the
characteristics of a ruler; and there are many similar emblems.

12. And because the flatterers, who were continually whispering into the
ear of Constantius, kept always affirming that when Augustus Octavianus
had brought two obelisks from Heliopolis, a city of Egypt, one of which
was placed in the Circus Maximus, and the other in the Campus Martius,
he yet did not venture to touch or move this one which has just been
brought to Rome, being alarmed at the greatness of such a task; I would
have those, who do not know the truth, learn that the ancient emperor,
though he moved several obelisks, left this one untouched, because it
was especially dedicated to the Sun-god, and was set up within the
precincts of his magnificent temple, which it was impious to profane;
and of which it was the most conspicuous ornament.

13. But Constantine deeming that a consideration of no importance, had
it torn up from its place, and thinking rightly that he should not be
offering any insult to religion if he removed a splendid work from some
other temple to dedicate it to the gods at Rom