The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were a collection of remarkable constructions listed by various Greek authors, including Antipater of Sidon and Philo of Byzantium. The classic list featured seven wonders located in the Eastern Mediterranean: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only ancient wonder still standing today. Built around 2560 B.C., it was the tallest man-made structure for more than 3,800 years and is believed to have been constructed as a tomb for the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. It consists of an estimated 2.3 million limestone and granite blocks, some of which weigh up to 80 tons each.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, said to have been built in the 6th century B.C., are believed to have been located near present-day Hillah in Iraq. The Hanging Gardens were reportedly constructed by King Nebuchadnezzar, who is said to have built the gardens in order to cheer up his homesick wife who, according to Greek and Roman writers, was of Median descent.
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was dedicated to the Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis. A Greek architect named Chersiphron and his son Metagenes are believed to have constructed the greater part of the maiden temple around 550 B.C. Destroyed by invading Persians in the 6th century B.C., the temple was eventually rebuilt, only to be destroyed finally in 401 A.D.
Created around 435 B.C., the Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a colossal figure of the chief god of the Greek pantheon, constructed by the Athenian sculptor Phidias. Different from other ancient Greek statues, this one was chryselephantine, meaning it was made from ivory plates and gold panels on a wooden frame.
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was built around 350 B.C. to honor and house the remains of King Maussollos of Caria. This stepped pyramid-shaped mausoleum was designed by Greek architects Satyros and Pytheus, and decorated by sculptors Leochares, Bryaxis, and Scopas of Paros. The Mausoleum was destroyed by an earthquake in the 15th century A.D., leaving only ruins.
Built around 280 B.C., the Colossus of Rhodes was a bronze statue of the titan-god of the sun, Helios, constructed to celebrate the island of Rhodes’ victory over the invading forces of Cyprus and Antigonus I. Crafted by the sculptor Chares, this was the tallest statue of the ancient world…at least until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 B.C.
The last of the Seven Wonders is the Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was built around 280 B.C.. Located at the mouth of the Nile river in Egypt, this lighthouse used a system of polished mirrors and sunlight to create a beam that was visible up to 35 miles away. The Lighthouse of Alexandria has been destroyed and reconstructed multiple times, and is currently in ruins.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are some of the most celebrated constructions in history. While only one of them remains standing today, the greatness and ingenuity of these wonders has made them permanent fixtures in the world’s historical imagination.
