There are so many monuments in the world! Grateful humanity erected magnificent structures in honor of the dead just rulers, brilliant musicians and poets. In the prehistoric era, the heads of state did not want to wait for their own death and erected monuments to themselves during their lifetime. Monuments are erected in cemeteries and in the center of city squares. Why do people in all countries and at all times do this?
Humanity began to erect monuments at the dawn of civilization. Scientists still find the oldest stone sculptures created by primitive sculptures and still causing questions and controversy as to what or who they represent. One thing does not cause controversy - all images of fictional or real creatures had a cult significance. The first monuments were created as objects of worship, they were attributed to magical supernatural powers. Later, deceased leaders and respected members of tribes and ancient communities began to be endowed with magical powers. People began to create monuments to perpetuate and glorify the dead. This function of monuments is preserved today. Statues depicting military leaders, rulers of states or great writers can be seen in any country. Grateful descendants pay tribute to the talents or heroism of their great compatriots. But in the history of mankind, monuments were erected not only to the dead, but also to living people. The cult of a living person and his deification were especially pronounced in Ancient Egypt. Pharaohs built tombs for themselves and erected their statues next to the statues of their many gods. This tradition was later taken up by emperors in the ancient world. Monuments to them were erected during their lifetime, and emperors could enjoy divine honors and glorifications of their merits even before their inevitable departure to another world. However, the passion for exaltation of their own person among the greats of this world can be observed even today. Lifetime monuments were erected to Kim Ser In, Stalin, Turkmenbashi Niyazov, Mao, and the full list is not limited to these names. As a rule, the initiative to erect monuments to the glorified person came from that person himself or his loyal associates. Many sociologists consider the presence of monuments to healthy people as one of the proofs of an unhealthy society and a totalitarian system in the country. With the development of society, monuments became more and more diverse. Not only people, but also animals began to receive the honor of being immortalized in bronze and marble. There are monuments to rescue animals who died in the service. For example, in Paris there is a monument to St. Bernard Barry, who saved the lives of people caught in an avalanche. In Japan, you can see a monument to dog loyalty. It was erected in honor of the dog Hachiko, who for several years came to the station every day and waited for the arrival of his deceased master. In many European cities, there has recently been a tendency to erect unusual and funny monuments. In Washington, there is a monument to people standing in line, in Bratislava, you can see a monument to a plumber sticking his head out of a sewer manhole, and in Paris, take a picture next to a monument to a finger. Such structures do not have any important social function, they are made for mood, decoration of the city and attract the attention of tourists. Human memory is short, life goes on as usual and new heroes constantly appear. Monuments do not allow humanity to forget about the most important milestones in its history, about people and events that we would like to always remember.
