The obelisk

The obelisk is a symbol of the sun god Ra. About thirty of them have been preserved around the world, eight of which are in Egypt. Obelisks usually stood in pairs in front of pyramids or temples. 

Roman emperors brought 13 obelisks from Egypt to Rome as trophies of victory. Some were destroyed or disintegrated in the early Middle Ages because of their "pagan" origin.

Erecting a large obelisk only with human power, horses, wood and ropes was not an easy task.