Dikilitas was originally one of the two obelisks which were erected in the name of Thutmose III in front of Amon-Ra Temple in Karnak in the 15th century BC. It is a monolith made of granite and the words on it are in Egyptian hieroglyphs praising Thutmose III. The original piece was longer
than today’s measurement of 19.60 m / 64.30 ft which is thought to be two thirds of the original. It was broken either during shipment or intentionally to make it lighter to transport. The Roman governor of Alexandria sent it to Theodosius I in 390 AD. The obelisk is situated on a Byzantine marble base with bas-reliefs that give some details about the emperor from the Kathisma and the
races of the time.
Emperor Theodosius I, depicted on four sides of the marble base, is watching the erection of it, watching a chariot race, receiving homage from eastern peoples, and preparing a wreath for the
winner of a race.
• Chariot Races
Chariot races were more money-oriented; racers were professionals and there was widespread betting among spectators.
There were four-horse chariots (quadrigae) and two-horse chariots (bigae), but the four-horse races were more important. In rare cases, if a driver wanted to show off his skill, he could use
up to ten horses, although this was extremely impractical. Drivers wrapped the reins round their waist and could not let go of the reins in a crash, so they would be dragged around the
circus until they were killed or they freed themselves with a curved knife. They also wore helmets and other protective gear.
Charioteers were usually slaves, and when they won races, they received a wreath of laurel leaves, and gold from the emperor; if they won enough races they could buy their freedom.