User:Mairyn.tsoutouras/Seven Wonders of the Ancient World


 * This IS the final submission page for my assignment***

**** NOTE: The lead and the chart were copied and pasted in with changes added, the description section was not copied and pasted and was added in entirely by myself.***

The Seven Wonders of the World or the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is a list of seven remarkably large constructions of classical antiquity given by various authors in guidebooks or poems; first described as themata, the greek word for a "Must see" attraction. Although the list, in its current form, did not stabilize until the Renaissance, the first such lists of seven wonders date from the 2nd-1st century BC. The original list inspired innumerable versions through the ages, often listing seven entries. Of the original Seven Wonders, only one—the Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Khufu, after the pharaoh who built it) and its two sibling pyramids, the oldest of the ancient wonders—remains relatively intact. The Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of Artemis and the Statue of Zeus were all destroyed. The location and ultimate fate of the Hanging Gardens are unknown, and there is speculation that they may not have existed at all. Many of these constructions induce a sense of mystery or a sense of awe at the accomplishments of early human architects and inspire creativity.

Great Pyramids Of Giza
Oldest of the ancient wonders, these three pyramids have been standing for millennium. The tallest and greatest pyramid named Khufu, standing at 147 meters tall with a square base of 230 meters for each side covering 52500^2 Km. The second pyramid, built by the pharaoh named Khafre, was slightly smaller than Khufu but boasted the famous Sphinx. The third and smallest pyramid of Giza was the pyramid of Menkaure, standing at 66 meters tall.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon
One of the great mysteries of the ancient world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was gifted to Amyitis from her husband king of Babylon who wanted to please her and cure her homesickness. Much is not known about the Gardens, other than when they could have existed. There have been many attempts to find and uncover the great garden but none have been successful due to many different reasons. One theory even claims that the Hanging Garden of Babylon could not have existed by how it was described.

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
After its construction the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was used at a place of worship, a place of refuge, civic center, and a bank. Sitting at 33.5 meters tall, 50 meters wide, and 104 meters long. It had 127 columns in rows of two, each column 2 meters wide at its widest points. Little remains of the original building after its destruction's. Its namesake, Artemis, represented the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, chastity, and the Moon.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The statue of Zeus at Olympia stood at 13.5 meters tall and was decorated and framed with gold and ivory, symbolizing Zeus's regality as King of the Gods. His statue was home of military offerings and prayers for good luck and strong athleticism. Zeus represented the King of the Gods, the sky, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Mausoleum was constructed on the orders of its namesakes wife, Artemisia. Mausolus, who was the local ruler of Halicarnassus. The Mausoleum served as a great tomb for Mausolus until its destruction. In 1522 the Knights of St. John discovered and used the Mausoleum as a camp ground and military base. This was also the etymological beginning for the use of the word Mausoleum representing a large building for a tomb.

Colossus of Rhodes
This statue stood at over 30 meters tall and was made up of bronze. The statue depicted the god Helios, the guardian of the Island of Rhodes. It was constructed to celebrate the victory of the people of Rhodes over there ruler Cyprus. After its destruction the colossus fell and laid on the ground for nearly 900 years before it was taken apart and sold by the Saracens. The god Helios represents the personification of the Sun.

Lighthouse of Alexandria
The Lighthouse of Alexandria stood at 115 meters tall and had a base of 55 meters for each of its four sides. The Lighthouse withstood two earthquakes, both of with slightly damaged the top of the tower, before finally collapsing after the third one. Its creator was the successor to Alexander the Great, Ptolemy II Philadelphus. The lighthouse was used for centuries as a beacon of light guiding ships to the shore for a safe return and because of this it was very highly respected and loved.