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The seven Wonders of the World

"Exploring the Architectural Marvels of the Ancient World"

By Manu JohnsonPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
The seven Wonders of the World
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

The Seven Wonders of the World are a collection of architectural and engineering marvels that were constructed in the ancient world. These structures were considered to be so impressive that they were known throughout the world, and were referred to as the "Wonders." Although only seven structures were considered to be the true "Wonders," there were many more that were considered to be of great importance.

The Great Pyramid of Giza:

The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in Giza. It was built around 2580 BC and is considered to be one of the most impressive architectural achievements of the ancient world. The pyramid is made of limestone and granite and stands at a height of 147 meters (481 feet). It is estimated that around 100,000 workers were required to build the pyramid over a period of 20 years. The pyramid was originally covered in smooth limestone, which was later taken away for other building projects, leaving the pyramid with its rough, stepped appearance.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon:

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were said to be a marvel of engineering, as they were built on a massive scale and were able to sustain a wide variety of plants and trees. They were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BC to please his wife, who missed the green hills of her homeland. The gardens were built on top of a series of terraces, with the plants and trees being held in place by an elaborate irrigation system. The gardens were said to have been so impressive that they were considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However, it is unclear if the gardens ever actually existed as there is no concrete evidence that they did.

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus:

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the most important religious structures in the ancient world. It was dedicated to the goddess Artemis and was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The temple was built in the 6th century BC and was made of marble and decorated with sculptures. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times, with the last version being built in the 3rd century BC. Unfortunately, the temple was completely destroyed by Goths in the year 262 AD, and only a few remains can be seen today.

The Colossus of Rhodes:

The Colossus of Rhodes was a massive statue of the sun god Helios that stood at the entrance to the harbor of the city of Rhodes. It was built in 280 BC and was considered to be one of the most impressive feats of engineering in the ancient world. The statue was made of bronze and stood at a height of 30 meters (98 feet). It was said to have been so impressive that ships could sail between its legs. The statue stood for only 56 years before it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC.

The Lighthouse at Alexandria:

The Lighthouse at Alexandria was built in the 3rd century BC and was considered to be one of the most advanced architectural and engineering achievements of the ancient world. It stood over 300 feet tall and was able to guide ships safely into the harbor.

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia:

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a massive statue of the god Zeus that stood in the temple of Zeus at Olympia. It was created by the renowned Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC and was considered to be one of the most impressive feats of ancient sculpture. The statue was made of gold and ivory and stood at a height of around 12 meters (40 feet). It depicted Zeus seated on a throne, holding a statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, in his right hand and a scepter in his left. The statue was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World and was one of the most important religious and cultural symbols of ancient Greece. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the 5th century AD and only descriptions and depictions of it remain today.

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus:

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was a massive tomb built for King Mausolus of Caria in the 4th century BC. It was considered to be one of the most impressive architectural achievements of the ancient world and was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The tomb was built of marble and stood at a height of around 45 meters (148 feet). It was adorned with sculptures and friezes depicting battles, athletic contests, and scenes from Greek myths. The tomb was destroyed by earthquakes and looting in the Middle Ages, and only ruins remain today.

These Seven Wonders of the world are not only an architectural marvel but also a testament to the engineering skills and creativity of ancient civilizations. It's a wonder how these structures were built with the limited resources and technology available during that time. Today, only the Great Pyramid of Giza still stands, but the memories of these structures live on through the stories and descriptions passed down through history

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