The 7 wonders of the ancient world are breathtaking structures that have been celebrated by artists, writers, and scholars, since 200 B.C. These jaw-dropping monuments were built through hard labor, with the use of crude tools. Ancient writers like Herodotus described the 7 ancient wonders as a must-see.
This prestigious list includes the following:
1. The Great Pyramid of Giza
Out of all the 7 ancient wonders of the world presented here, the Pyramid of Giza is the only wonder that still exists today. It was built in honor of Pharaoh Khufu. By 2560 B.C, the majestic Pyramid of Giza was fully built. Archaeologists believe that it took 20 years to build this pyramid, which is 481 feet high with perfect and incomparable symmetry.
2. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Diodorus Siculus, an ancient writer, describes the Hanging Gardens of Babylon as self-watering planes with exotic flora and fauna, touching the heights of 75 feet. They were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II as a gift to his new wife. His wife was said to have missed the flowers and mountains of her homeland, so the king commanded that a replica of the mountain be created in Babylon. The gardens, which no longer exist, were destroyed by a high magnitude earthquake.
3. Olympia’s Statue of Zeus
Phidias, a Greek sculptor in the 5th century who is famous for his numerous works, which include the statue of Athens, also created Olympia’s Statue of Zeus. The 40 feet tall statue made of ivory and gold, depicted Zeus, a Greek god, seated on his throne. The statue that was designed to inspire worshipers, fell into ruins in an earthquake, but much of its glory sank after the Olympic Games were abolished in 392 A.D. for being considered a pagan rite. The rise of Christianity also played a major role in its fall.
4. The Lighthouse of Alexandria
Located on the Pharos Island, the 440 feet tall Lighthouse of Alexandria was considered the world’s tallest building for centuries. It guarded the ancient Egyptian port. During the day, its light reflected the sun rays. By night, the fire that was lit could be seen as far as 35 miles across the sea. Like other great monuments, the lighthouse was brought down by an earthquake.
5. The Colossus of Rhodes
Constructed between 292-280 BCE, the Colossus of Rhodes was a gigantic statue representing Helios, a god of the Island. The statue, which inspires modern-day statues like the Statue of Liberty, lasted 56 years before it was brought down by an earthquake in 225 BCE. Pliny, a famous historian who lived for centuries after the building of Colossus, claims that Colossus’ fingers were bigger than most modern-day statues.
6. The Temple of Artemis
Located in present-day western Turkey, the temple was built to honor the Greek goddess of hunting. The building process took over 120 years to complete. Sadly, it was destroyed within a day. A man by the name of Herostratus set it on fire to claim glory and fame for torching a glamorous structure. The same night it was set on fire, Alexander the Great was born. He later offered to rebuild it, but the Ephesians turned down the offer. After his death, it was rebuilt, only to be destroyed by the Goths and a Christian mob, under the command of Saint John Chrysostom.
7. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Originally known as the Tomb of Mausolus, the Mausoleum was built in 350 B.C. It was specifically designed for a Persian ruler and his spouse. Among the 7 ancient wonders of the world, it was the last to come tumbling down, as a result of several earthquakes that occurred between the 12th – 15th centuries.
In Conclusion
The ancient wonders do exactly what their names intend. They fill us with awe and wonder by their ornate ostentatious and colossal size. However, it is also worth considering how labor-intensive the tasks of building such megastructures must have been in the Ancient World.
Thousands of individuals had to work incredibly hard in order to transport huge amounts of material under dangerous circumstances. The construction, without the assistance of heavy machinery, required a gigantic concentration of manpower and organization. Indeed, some have gone on to argue that the building of ancient mega structures was responsible for nearly as many deaths as wars and famine! Humanist historians have often suggested that although many of the ancient wonders are obviously magnificent, they are just as much a reminder of the worst aspects of human society. Namely, slavery and dangerous working conditions.
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