[5][6] In the fourth century AD this designation also applied to Serapis, the male counterpart of Isis in the pantheon instituted by the Hellenistic rulers of Egypt, the Ptolemies.

[9] In the later fourth century AD it was considered by Ammianus Marcellinus a marvel rivalled only by Rome's sanctuary to Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill, the Capitolium.

[4] Charles Piazzi Smyth refers to researchers of the 18th and 19th century discussing their statements of it being cast in place from manufactured stone as its transportation couldn't be explained.

[16] Since Publius's name appears as the monument's dedicator, the column and stylite statue of Diocletian must have been completed between 297 and 303, while he was in post.

[4] The porphyry statue of Diocletian in armour is known from large fragments that existed at the column's foot in the eighteenth century AD.

[18] In early 1803, British naval officer Commander John Shortland of HMS Pandour flew a kite over Pompey's Pillar.

When they got to the top they displayed the Union Jack, drank a toast to King George III, and gave three cheers.

Four days later they climbed the pillar again, erected a staff, fixed a weather vane, ate a beef steak, and again toasted the king.