The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World represent the seven monuments considered the most important and beautiful according to their history and architecture. They were chosen by the Greeks in antiquity.
Pyramids of Egypt
The Pyramids of Egypt, located in the Necropolis of Giza, are stone tombs built during the ancient period, near the city of Cairo, Egypt. They were erected to house the bodies of the kings of Ancient Egypt, the pharaohs.
Although there are 123 pyramids built, three of them are worth mentioning:Cheops, Chephren and Menkaure. In addition to the pyramids, the Sphinx of Giza is also part of the necropolis. It is a giant representation of a being with a lion's body and a human head with a royal turban. It faces the direction of the rising sun.
Among the seven wonders of the ancient world, only the pyramids have survived over time.
Learn all about the pyramids of Egypt.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Collection of some artificial mounds built in the city of Babylon (present-day Iraq), on the banks of the Euphrates River, at the request of King Nebuchadnezzar II who ruled between 605 and 562 BC, and who supposedly built it for a beloved woman. Legend has it that his wife, born in mountainous lands, missed her home and the mountainous terrain a lot.
To date, its existence has not been proven. Some historians believe that it is a mythical site, which was mentioned in some ancient texts. The hanging gardens of Babylon are described as a palace, with large terraces and a beautiful oriental garden, formed by fountains and various plants.
See also:Mesopotamian civilizationStatue of Zeus at Olympia
During the period of ancient Greece a statue was erected in the city of Olympia for the lord of gods and men who inhabited Mount Olympus:Zeus.
Built by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 430 BC, the statue in the temple of Zeus was about 15 meters high and made of noble materials such as gold, ivory and marble.
The statue of Zeus was considered the most beautiful, perfect and important monument for the Greeks in antiquity. It was destroyed after an earthquake that supposedly occurred in the 13th century.
Colossus of Rhodes
Huge Statue of the Greek God of the Sun, Helios, built between 292 BC. and 280 BC. by the Greek sculptor Carés de Lindos, in Asia Minor, more precisely on the island of Rhodes (Greece), in the Aegean Sea. The statue was made of bronze, was about 30 meters high and weighed 70 tons.
It was positioned at the entrance to the port, and therefore those who entered the city saw its imposing figure. The statue had one leg positioned on each bank and in its right hand it held a torch to guide boats through the night. It was destroyed by an earthquake that hit the site, having survived about half a century.
Temple of Diana
Also known as the "Temple of Artemis" in Ephesus (present-day Turkey), it is considered the greatest temple of antiquity. This majestic temple was erected in the year 550 BC. in the name of the Roman goddess of the moon, hunting and chastity Diana (Greek goddess Artemis).
However, it was destroyed in 356 BC. by Herostratus who aimed to be remembered as the temple's incendiary. At 91 meters long by approximately 45 meters wide, it was built in marble.
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
Great tomb built in the year 353 BC. to the Persian King called Mausolus. It was designed by the architects Sátiro and Pítis and the sculptors Briáxis, Escopas de Paros, Leocarés and Timóteo.
The mausoleum, about 45 meters high, was built in marble, bronze and gold in the city of Halicarnassus (present-day Turkey). It is currently in ruins as it has been affected by several earthquakes.
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Built by the Greek architect Sostratus of Cnidus, around 250 BC. the Lighthouse of Alexandria is located on Faro Island in Alexandria, Egypt. Made of marble, it was about 150 meters high and served as an aid for boats.
Now that you know the seven wonders of the ancient world, see what The Seven Wonders of the Modern World are.