By THORN MULLI
Ancient historians came up with a list of seven incredible constructions by the human race across the globe that came to be known as the Seven Wonders of the World. As time progressed, more lists have been created.
Did you know?
1.That the Pyramid of Giza, built for the Egyptian Pharaoh, Khufu, was for a long time in ancient time, the tallest man-made structure in the world. It is also the remaining wonder in the list.
2. The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as Pharos of Alexandria because it was built on the Island of Pharos at Alexandria in Egypt, was the most practical wonder, purposely for guiding sailors to harbour at night. It was also one of the tallest constructions
of its time.
3. The Temple of Artemis, constructed mostly of marble dedicated to Greek goddess Artemis, was located in Ephesus near present day town SelÇuk, Turkey. Touted the most splendid of the seven ancient wonders, it was destroyed and repaired at least twice, for various reasons, before its eventual ruin by Goth invaders.
4. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon is one of the wonders that may have been purely legendary. With conflicting reports of its maker, it is believed to have been crafted to imitate the Persian highlands by King Nebuchadnezzar II to please his wife, Queen Amytis of Media. The queen had longed for the plants from her homeland considering Babylon that would probably have been in present day, Iraq, characterised by flat desert terrain.
5. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was an imposing tomb built by Artemisia for her husband Mausolus, an acknowledgment of how wealthy he was. His name is credited as the origin for the name ‘mausoleum’ that refers to stately tombs.
6. The Statue of Zeus in Olympia was made by Greek sculptor Phidias and erected in Temple of Zeus. Athletes then travelled to Olympia for games every four years much like today’s Olympic Games in honour of Zeus. Reportedly built of ivory and gold plated bronze, the statue was destroyed by fire.
7. Legend has it that the Colossus of Rhodes statue, a tribute to Greek titan Helios, was built by the city of Rhodes after victory from a spirited siege from Cyprus. The last of the seven ancient wonders to be created, it was sadly the first to be destroyed by an earthquake.
