The 7 wonders of the ancient world explained

Today's history lesson is centred around the seven wonders of the ancient world. These wonders are called ancient for a reason, as they belong to a time long gone.

Among the seven wonders, spanning across different B.C.Es and A.Ds, are the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. 

Quite remarkably, only the Great Pyramid of Giza amongst all the ancient wonders, still stands tall today. The others have long been destroyed.

Let’s dive into it:

Location: Turkey

The Temple of Artemis, built around 550 B.C.E., was a massive sanctuary dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis. It was located in Ephesus, which is in present-day Turkey. 

This temple was one of the largest ever constructed and showcased impressive architecture. It had beautiful carvings on the marble walls and was supported by large columns.  

Inside the temple was a great statue of Artemis, believed to bring fertility and protection. People from different places would come to see its beauty and worship Artemis.

Location: Iraq

Thought to be built around 600 B.C.E. by King Nebuchadnezzar II, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon showcased the advanced skills of ancient Mesopotamia in both construction and gardening. 

These gardens, located in the city of Babylon, now present-day Iraq, have greenery that resembled a beautiful mountain of plants.

It has been said that the Hanging Gardens were a symbol of King Nebuchadnezzar II's love for his queen and his desire to create a paradise on Earth. Legend has it that the gardens were built to bring comfort to Queen Amytis, who missed the lush green landscapes of her homeland. 

The gardens' terraces displayed a stunning variety of plants, including flowers, fruit trees, and fragrant herbs. The use of water channels and mechanisms ensured a constant water supply, which helped the plants grow and thrive.

Among the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Hanging Gardens stand apart due to the fact that their precise location remains uncertain.

Location: Rhodes, Greece

The Colossus of Rhodes was a gigantic bronze statue located at the entrance of the harbour in the Greek city of Rhodes. It represented the sun-god Helios and was built in 280 B.C.E. as a symbol of victory and resilience, commemorating the city's successful defence against an invading army.

According to ancient accounts, the statue stood around 108 feet tall, making it one of the tallest statues of that time.

The statue portrayed Helios with his arms outstretched, holding a torch to help guide ships into the harbour. Unfortunately, an earthquake in 226 B.C.E. caused the statue to collapse and be destroyed.

Location: Egypt

The Great Pyramid of Giza, constructed around 2560 B.C.E., stands as the oldest and largest of the seven wonders. This large pyramid served as the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu and proved the architectural prowess of ancient Egypt. 

It held the title of the world's tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years and is reportedly about 4600 years old.

Location: Olympia, Greece

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, created around 435 B.C.E. by the famous sculptor Phidias, was an enormous sculpture made of ivory and gold. It stood inside the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, Greece. The statue was gigantic, measuring about 41 feet (12.4 meters) tall. It depicted Zeus, the king of the gods, sitting on a majestic throne. 

The sculptor paid great attention to detail, carefully crafting Zeus' calm facial expression, flowing robes, and strong muscles. The throne itself was beautifully decorated with carvings showing stories from Greek mythology and symbols of power. 

Although the statue has been lost to time, ancient writings and pictures on coins give us an idea of how magnificent it must have been.

Its impressive size and exquisite details made it a sight to behold. 

Location: Bodrum, Turkey

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, built between 353 and 350 B.C.E. in Halicarnassus was an enormous tomb created to honour Mausolus, a local ruler, and his sister-wife Artemisia II. 

Designed by Greek architects Satyros and Pythius, this impressive structure showcased a blend of Greek and Anatolian styles. It had intricate decorations, beautiful sculptures, and tall columns, an architectural achievement of the time.

The mausoleum was eventually destroyed.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos of Alexandria, was a tall beacon built in ancient Egypt during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus. It stood on the island of Pharos and helped guide ships entering the busy port of Alexandria. 

This lighthouse was one of the tallest structures of its time and was admired for its engineering and design.

Made of white marble, the Lighthouse of Alexandria had a square base that became narrower as it went up, forming an elegant tower with eight sides. At the very top, there was a mirror or fire that emitted a strong light. This light acted as a signal to help ships find their way to the port of Alexandria, even from a distance. 

The lighthouse's height and location were essential in making sure ships could safely reach the harbour.