Cleopatra's Needles

Cleopatra's Needles

Constant Wonder - Season 2022, Episode 1042 , Segment 2

Napoleon’s Theft of Veronese’s Feast

Episode: Napoleon’s Theft of Veronese’s Feast

  • Jun 10, 2021 7:00 pm
  • 21:39

Bob Brier, affectionately known as Mr. Mummy, explains how France’s obsession with Egyptian history set off obelisk mania in Paris, London, and New York City. Obelisks had been painstakingly hand-hewn with stone tools and then, in the 1800s, shipped abroad at great cost and sacrifice—one was nearly lost at sea in a hurricane. We find out what drove the obsession. Guest: Bob Brier, Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University and author of "Cleopatra’s Needles: The Lost Obelisks of Egypt"