As we stand in awe before the grandeur of ancient architecture, it’s natural to wonder about the wonders that once captivated the imagination of our ancestors. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are a testament to human ingenuity and creativity, a reminder of what can be achieved when passion and skill come together.
In this article, we’ll embark on a journey through time, exploring each of the seven ancient wonders, their construction, destruction, and the fascinating stories behind them. We’ll delve into the historical context, cultural nuances, and surprising facts that will leave you amazed by the ingenuity of our forebears.
What are the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is a list of remarkable constructions from antiquity compiled by ancient Greeks and Romans. However, there’s been debate over which seven wonders actually existed on this list. Some question whether pyramids, temples, and mausoleums were indeed among the original seven.
To clarify, let’s look at the categories in which these seven wonders were divided:
- Those from ancient times
- Those from modern times (also called the “New Seven Wonders”)
- Those from nature
What do they have in common? They are works of great beauty that ancient Greeks and Romans considered the most beautiful works of humanity.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon: A Controversial Entry
Built over 2,000 years ago, only one wonder survives to this day; the others were destroyed by various causes. Let’s explore the Seven Wonders of Ancient Times!
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- Construction started: 605 BCE
- Dimensions: unknown
- Destruction: earthquake
- Architect: Nabucodonosor II
One of the most disputed entries, not because of its merit but due to historical certainty: many scholars still question whether these hanging gardens actually existed in ancient Babylon, near present-day Baghdad, built by King Nabuccodonosor II in 590 BCE.
Another controversy surrounds the authorship of this construction, which is often attributed to Queen Semiramis, the main character in various literary, lyrical, and pictorial works about the gardens.
A key interpretive point regards the meaning of the word “garden” in ancient Mesopotamia, which is very close to the meaning of “Paradise”.
According to legend, Queen Semiramis found fresh roses every morning in these gardens, despite the arid climate.
The Colossus of Rhodes: A Statue of Sun God Helios
Dating back to the 3rd century BCE, it is a statue of the sun god Helios built by Rhodians to celebrate their victory over Demetrius I Poliorcetes.
- The Colossus of Rhodes
- Construction started: 292 BCE
- Dimensions: 32 m tall
- Destruction: earthquake
- Architect: Carete of Lindo
Standing 32 meters tall, its creation took 12 years and lasted for another 56 years until it was destroyed by an earthquake.
For 800 years, the statue lay on the ocean floor before being broken up by Arab conquerors in 672 CE.
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Tomb of Great Beauty
- The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- Construction started: approximately 353 BCE
- Dimensions: 45 m tall
- Destruction: earthquake
- Architects: Artemisia II, Pythius of Priene, Satyros
A towering work of art: it is the tomb of Mausolus, satrap of Caria, built by his sister and wife (yes, sister and wife) Artemisia.
The tomb was so imposing that from then on, the term “mausoleum” came to be used for all large monumental tombs.
Some remains are still visible in Bodrum, Turkey, and at the British Museum of London.
The Temple of Artemis: A Story of Birth and Death
- The Temple of Artemis
- Construction started: around 560 BCE
- Dimensions: 18 m tall
- Destruction: fire
- Architects: Chersiphron, Metagenes
A story of birth and death, glory and destruction: this temple was built in Ephesus to honor the goddess Artemis around 560 BCE and was one of the most impressive structures of classical civilization.
It was destroyed by a fire set by Erostrato, who wanted to make history.
The myth tells us that in the same night, Alexander the Great was born, and the goddess Artemis was too busy watching over this birth to protect her temple.
This temple was rebuilt twice before being destroyed again first by the Goths in 262 CE and then by Christians in 401 CE.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria: A Marvel of Greek Engineering
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria
- Construction started: 280 BCE
- Dimensions: 8.5 m wide, 134 meters tall
- Architect: Sostratus of Chios
Built on the island of Pharos, near the port of Alexandria, Egypt, it is one of the greatest works of Greek engineering.
It was completed around 300 BCE and its height of 134 meters made it responsible for ensuring maritime safety.
Its visibility stretched up to 48 kilometers away.
It was destroyed by two earthquakes in 1303 and 1323 CE.
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The Statue of Zeus at Olympia: A Masterpiece of Sculpture
- The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
- Opening: 436 BCE
- Height: 13 m
- Architect: Phidias
Built on the advice of the great sculptor Phidias, it completed the Temple of Zeus at Olympia around 436 BCE. This statue was made of gold and ivory and had a base of 6 meters and an altitude of 13 meters.
Its proportions were such that if Zeus stood up straight, he would have covered the temple’s ceiling.
According to Strabo, if Zeus stood on his feet, he would have uncovered the temple.
The Great Pyramid of Giza: An Engineering Marvel
- The Great Pyramid of Giza
- Construction started: 2584 BCE
- Dimensions: 139 m tall
- Architects: Khufu, Hemiunu, Imhotep
Called “La Grande Piramide,” it is located at Giza and is named after the Pharaoh Khufu who commissioned its construction as his tomb.
The construction began in 2584 BCE (almost 5,000 years ago!), and originally, it was around 146.6 meters tall; over time, wind and erosion have reduced its height to 139 meters today.
It covers an area of 5 hectares, has an extraordinary precision in its proportions, and is even impressive for our times.
Its weight is estimated to be around 7 million tons, considering that it was built using limestone blocks weighing between 800 kg and 4 tons each, as well as massive granite blocks weighing between 20 and 80 tons each.
Some studies on its proportions have revealed shocking facts:
The ratio of the base perimeter to twice its height equals Pi Greek value;
By measuring in inches the base perimeter, you get a number of 36524, which is 100 times the number of days in a solar year (365.24);
Its dimensions and proportions represent a model of the northern hemisphere Earth on a scale of 1:43,200.
As we conclude our journey through the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, we’re left with a deeper appreciation for human ingenuity, creativity, and perseverance. These marvels continue to inspire awe and curiosity in us today, reminding us of what can be achieved when passion, skill, and determination come together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
A: The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are a list of remarkable constructions from antiquity compiled by ancient Greeks and Romans. They include the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of Artemis, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Q: Are there only 7 Wonders of the Ancient World?
A: No, there are actually 21 wonders, which can be divided into three categories: those from ancient times, those from modern times (also called the “New Seven Wonders”), and those from nature.
Q: What is the most disputed entry among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
A: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are the most disputed entry. Many scholars question whether they actually existed in ancient Babylon, near present-day Baghdad.
Q: Who built the Colossus of Rhodes?
A: The Colossus of Rhodes was built by Carete of Lindo, a Greek sculptor and architect.
Q: What is the purpose of the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
A: The Lighthouse of Alexandria was built to ensure maritime safety. It was one of the greatest works of Greek engineering.
Q: Who built the Statue of Zeus at Olympia?
A: The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was built by Phidias, a renowned Greek sculptor and architect.
Q: What is unique about the Great Pyramid of Giza?
A: The Great Pyramid of Giza is an engineering marvel. Its dimensions and proportions represent a model of the northern hemisphere Earth on a scale of 1:43,200.
Q: How old is the Great Pyramid of Giza?
A: The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza began in 2584 BCE, making it almost 5,000 years old.
