This stele was carefully copied by A.P. MODELS after pictures of real steles placed in Libya by the fascist government in the Thirties to mark the Italian civilization of that land (often at the expense of the local populations). The stele also had to remind of the expansion of Rome in ancient times.

There is a famous picture, taken in January 1941, showing a British artillery tractor near such a handwork at Sidi El Barrani during the victorious advance.