7 WONDERS OF ANCIENT WORLD
7 WONDERS OF ANCIENT WORLD
The 7 wonders of world is the name given to a group of well-known works of
art and engineering that were popular amongst the ancients.
Pyramids of Giza:
A group of three pyramids situated southwest of Cairo (Egypt). The great
pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the only one of the original 7 wonders that still
exists. It was built in 2690 BC by Cheops, the second pharoah of 4th Dynasty.
The original height of the pyramid was 481 feet, but now it is 450 feet.
Hanging Gardens of
Babylon:
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
(Iraq) were built by King Nebuchadnezzar 2 about 600 BC in memory of his
beloved queen Amyitis. The gardens were laid in five storeys vaulted structure,
raising from 75 to 300 feet, with provision for raising water. No traces of
hanging gardens have been left now.
Statue of Zeus:
It was carved out by Greek sculptor
Pheidias, at Olympia in 432 BC. It was 43 feet (13 m) high statue, covered with
the sheet of gold and ivory. The eyes were decorated with jewels. Perched on
his right hand was a winged figure of the goddess “Victory”, in his left hand
he clapsed an eagle headed sceptre, symbol of Kingship, the head of gold was
crowned with an olive wreath, while on his feet were golden sandals. It was as
tall as three storey building. Now it has no trace, except reproduction on
coins.
Temple of Artemis
(Diana):
The temple of Artemis is said to have been amongst the most beautiful
temples in the world. It was built in the honour of the Greek goddess of moon
at Ephesus (Turkey), after 350 BC, during the reign of Alexander the Great. Its
base length was 400 feet and had over than 100 pillars, each raising about 60
feet. In 262 AD it was destroyed by the Goths. Its traces can be seen in Masjid
of Saint Sophia (Istanbul).
Mausoleum at
Halicarnassus:
The magnificent mausoleum was erected in 353 BC by Queen Artemisia in
memory of her husband Mausolus of Caria (Bordium, Turkey). It was a 140 feet
high structure, which was destroyed by an earthquake, Some remains of the
structure are, however, still preserved in the British Museum, London, England.
Colossus of
Rhodes:
This famous statue of the sun god Helois, which was formerly called Apollo,
was built by Chares of Lidos in 292-280 BC in the city of Rhodes in Greece. It
was a 110-foot high bronze statue. IT took 12 years to build and was destroyed
only after 56 years after completion in an earthquake in 255 BC.
Pharos of
Alexandria:
The lighthouse at alexandria, Egypt, was built by ptolemy 1 in the third
century BC and stood on island of Pharos at the to the harbour. It was so
famous that pharos came into general use as the word for lighthouse. The said
to be 400 feet high, was of white stone and contained many storeys. No remains
left now.
Comments