Which were the 7 wonders of the ancient world

The Mausoleum, which no longer exists, was exceptional for its massive size, with a base of about 1, square feet and a total height of feet. The burial chamber and the sarcophagus, which was built of white alabaster and adorned with gold, sat on top of a stepped podium and was surrounded by Ionic columns.

Despite the Mausoleum's size, visitors were most impressed by the beautiful decorations and statues that adorned it. Sixteen centuries after its construction, the Mausoleum was damaged by an earthquake, and in the early 15th century, crusaders destroyed what remained of the Mausoleum and used the bricks to build a castle that still stands today. The foot high statue of Colossus overlooked the ancient harbor of the Greek Island of Rhodes for only 56 years, but its size and construction inspired such awe in its visitors that centuries after its destruction it was included on the list of ancient wonders.

The people of Rhodes commissioned sculptor Chares of Lindos to build the giant bronze statue of their patron deity Helios the Sun God in B. Sadly, in B. However, according to historical accounts, visitors to Rhodes were still awed by the statue even as it laid in ruins on the ground. In , an invading Arab army destroyed the fallen Colossus, and some historical accounts assert that the army then sold off the pieces to "a Jew from Syria" who transported them on the backs of " camels.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was located on the ancient island of Pharos, just off the coast of the Egyptian city of Alexandria. Designed by Sostratus of Cnidus in the third century B. The lighthouse, constructed of large blocks of stones, reached a height of about feet and was one of the tallest structures created by man for many centuries. Housed in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia in western Greece, the statue showed Zeus seated on a throne crusted in gold, precious gems, ivory, and ebony.

Zeus held a statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, in his right hand. A scepter topped with an eagle was held in his left hand.

Many of those who gazed upon the meter foot statue commented that the proportions of Zeus inside the temple were off. Regardless, the statue was revered by most as a stunning earthly representation of the great god that filled passersby with awe—until it was destroyed in an earthquake in the fifth century B.

But when I saw the temple at Ephesus rising to the clouds, all these other wonders were put in the shade. It went through several phases of destruction and rebuilding. The most famous iteration, completed in B. Its final destruction was initiated by Herostratus, who sought fame by destroying the beautiful creation.

Its ruin by Herostratus and the ravages of time have obliterated all but a few remains of the grand temple. Mausoleum of Halicarnassus Among the most impressive structures to house the deceased was the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.

The mausoleum was designed between and B. The mausoleum stood approximately 41 meters feet high and was adorned with intricate exterior carvings and precious works of art. Despite standing for centuries and even surviving a raid by Alexander of Macedonia, a series of earthquakes finally rocked it to its core.

All that remains are a few scattered pieces of its foundation. Erected between and B. After standing for only 56 years, an earthquake destroyed the statue in B. Despite snapping at the knees and falling onto the island, the ruins remained a popular attraction for more than years. Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria This ancient lighthouse, considered a technical masterpiece that served as the model for all lighthouses that followed, was constructed on Pharos, an island in the harbor of Alexandria in Egypt, known as Kemet by its ancient citizens.

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