
audiobook
by Berwick-upon-Tweed Vicar of St. Mary's James King
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
INTRODUCTION.
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
In this compact yet richly detailed study, the author guides listeners through the fascinating story of the London Obelisk—better known as Cleopatra’s Needle—standing on the Thames. Drawing on first‑hand observations from a 19th‑century journey across Egypt and the expertise of leading Egyptologists, the book offers a clear, line‑by‑line translation of the hieroglyphs carved by Thutmose III and Ramesses II. Listeners will hear how each symbol is unpacked, revealing the early development of written language and the artistic skill of the ancient builders.
Beyond the stone itself, the narrative weaves the obelisk into the wider tapestry of Egyptian culture, architecture, and its surprising links to biblical history. The author explains why this monument mattered to peoples from Moses to the early Christian era, and how modern discoveries of mummies and tombs breathe new life into ancient mysteries. Listeners will come away with a richer appreciation of how a single slab of granite can connect past civilizations, art, and faith.
Full title
Cleopatra's Needle A History of the London Obelisk, with an Exposition of the Hieroglyphics
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (160K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive.)
Release date
2011-10-18
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A clergyman with a taste for history and ancient Egypt, he wrote an accessible account of London’s Cleopatra’s Needle and the hieroglyphs carved into it. His surviving work blends curiosity, religious background, and a Victorian love of explanation.
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