نویسنده و گردآورنده : احسان خوشخرام

Colossus of Rhodes
Greece


Why this ancient Seven Wonders statue was special
The Colossus of Rhodes statue with its pedestal was as tall as a modern 15-story building. This was an amazing architectural feat when this structure was built on the island of Rhodes around 280 BC.
Interesting tidbits about
the Colossus of Rhodes
No one today knows for sure what the Colossus of Rhodes looked like or where it was situated. I heard a half dozen different answers from local experts while I was in Rhodes.
The popular notion is that the Colossus of Rhodes straddled the harbor's entrance and ships sailed between its legs (see top picture). I like the concept because its dramatic. However, it seems unlikely that such a design was used. It would pose unsolvable engineering problems in the 3rd century BC. It would also be economically devastating because it would block Rhodes' thriving commercial harbor during the statue's construction.
More likely, the Colossus of Rhodes had a more conventional Greek style pose. And, it probably stood on land along the harbor shoreline, or slightly inland overlooking the sea.

The Colossus of Rhodes is the shortest lived of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. It lasted just 53 years.
It is the sixth oldest of the ancient Seven Wonders.
Rhodes built the statue to honor its patron god Helios - and to thank him for a military victory (a sizeable invading army abandoned its unsuccessful siege of Rhodes). 
That army departed in haste, leaving behind a huge quantity of military equipment. Rhodes sold some of it to finance the statue's construction, and melted down the bronze and iron pieces to make the statue. 
According to the Roman historian Pliny, it took the team of sculptor Chares of Lindos 12 years to build the statue. The completion date was approximately 282 BC. 
The French sculptor Bartholdi gained part of his inspiration for his Statue of Liberty from the Colossus of Rhodes, which was built 2200 years before. 
Construction methods are similar. Both statues are hollow. Their exterior metal plates are attached to metal frames. However, the Colossus of Rhodes used bronze plates on an iron frame (supported by stone work) while the Statue of Liberty has copper plates on a steel superstructure.
The statue's body was nearly as tall as the Statue of Liberty's. It was an estimated 33 meters (110 feet) tall. A pedestal raised the statue another 15 meters (50 feet).
In 226 BC, a devastating earthquake toppled the Colossus of Rhodes. 
The statue broke at its knees, its weakest structural zone. Thus, "Colossus knee" is the architectural equivalent to "Achilles heel".
Egypt's ruler Ptolemy III offered to pay for the reconstruction of the fallen Colossus. Rhodes turned down his donation because an oracle predicted that it would displease Helios, the island's patron god.
The fallen pieces were generally left alone for over 800 years. Travelers admired what remained of the Colossus of Rhodes, as did the Roman historian Pliny. He wrote, "Even as it lies, it excites our wonder and admiration."
In 654 AD, the Arabs invaded Rhodes. They soon salvaged the Colossus of Rhodes remnants and sold them as scrap metal. Nothing remains.
Today, the island of Rhodes is a popular tourist destination. It has two Hillman Wonders Bronze Medal winners - Rhodes Old Town and the Lindos Acropolis. Click the round green "top 1000 wonders list" button at the bottom of this page to see my complete list of the world's Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal winners. 

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Turkey

Why this ancient Seven Wonders temple was special
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the most elegant buildings of ancient times. It boasted over 100 graceful marble columns, each measuring more than 15 meters (50 feet) in height. The structure covered an area several times larger than does the Acropolis in Athens.

History in brief
The Temple of Artemis literally had its ups and downs over the centuries. It was erected around 600 BC and burned down in about 550 AD. It was then rebuilt into a bigger and more magnificent version. 
The Temple of Artemis was destroyed again in 336 BC, this time by an arsonist named Herostratus who wanted to immortalize his name (2300 years later it appears he succeeded). 
The temple was again rebuilt, even bigger and better than before. Except for its lumber-supported roof covered with glazed terra cotta tiles, the new Temple of Artemis was made almost exclusively of marble (a first in its day). Inside, the temple was richly decorated with sculptures and other artworks created by leading artists. It more or less survived intact until the invading Goths severely damaged it in 262 AD.
Sadly, the Temple of Artemis was never rebuilt again. What remained slowly disintegrated with the help of earthquakes. By the 5th Century AD, most of the marble had been salvaged for local building needs.
When I explored the Temple of Artemis site 15 centuries later, all that remained was one reconstructed column (of uncertain origin) and a marshy field strewn with large chunks of marble (that or may not have belonged to the Temple of Artemis).

Interesting tidbits about
the Temple of Artemis
Many tales about the Temple of Artemis have been passed down by ancient writers. One was penned by the Roman historian Pliny. He related that Alexander the Great offered to finish rebuilding the burned down temple on the condition that his name be inscribed in gratitude on the new Temple of Artemis. These temple authorities were miffed by this egotistical demand of an outsider, but didn't want to anger the powerful conqueror Alexander. So, they came up with this clever diplomatic rejection: It is unfitting for one god to build a temple for another god.
Another legend tells us that Alexander the Great was born on July 21, 336 BC, the same day the earlier mentioned arsonist Herostratus burned down the Temple of Artemis. The goddess Artemis did nothing to stop the temple from burning because she was too busy attending to Alexander's birth.
The Temple of Artemis was a tourist attraction in its heyday. It drew travelers from afar. A local cottage industry produced souvenirs and religious items including miniature statues of Artemis. Hawkers sold them to visitors, which helped the local economy.
Seafaring ships once docked in the riverside harbor of bustling Ephesus, the ancient city where The Temple of Artemis was located. Eventually, silt clogged the harbor and its entrance, preventing ships from ever again reaching the harbor.
If you're going to visit the Temple of Artemis site, be sure to reserve a day or two to explore the spectacular ruins of Ephesus. It is a Hillman Wonders Silver Medal winner. Click the round green "top 1000 wonders list" button to see my complete list of my Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal winners.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Greece

Why this ancient Seven Wonders statue was special
The statue of the Greek god Zeus at Olympia was one of the world's greatest statues. It was created in about 450 BC by the renowned Greek sculptor Phidias, the same artist who created the famed statue of the goddess Athena for the Parthenon in Athens.
Zeus's seated figure (see picture) was 12 meters (50 feet) high. His body was ivory and his robe, hair and beard, gold. The throne was cedar inlaid with precious jewels. Zeus's outstretched right hand held a small statue of Nike, the goddess of victory.
The statue's head nearly scraped the ceiling of the Temple of Zeus. Phidias wanted to emphasize Zeus's mightiness.

Interesting tidbits about
the Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The Statue of Zeus was housed in the 64 meter (210 foot) long Temple of Zeus, which could be called a wonder on its own merits. Its 72 exterior Doric columns made a stunning architectural statement. And, its pediments and metopes were ornamented with outstanding sculptured artwork.
The statue inhabited the Temple of Zeus for about 850 years (from around 450 BC to about 400 AD) when some Greeks moved it to Constantinople (modern Istanbul). It was fortunate they did because the Temple of Zeus was destroyed shortly thereafter. However, this was only a temporary reprieve. The statue's new home burned down in 462 AD. The Statue of Zeus was no more, forever.
During the statue's long life span, a variety of copies were made. All have vanished in time, so we do not have an accurate idea of what the Statue of Zeus really looked like. We have to rely mainly on written records.
The ancient Greeks decided to hold the first Olympic Games at Olympia in 776 BC because it had a Zeus shrine. That sanctuary was small, yet the Greeks did not get around to building a grand temple to honor Zeus appropriately until several centuries later.
Today, the Temple of Zeus consists of a fractured foundation blocks and other remnants that are mostly of interest to scholars.
The workshop where Phidias made the Statue of Zeus is next to the temple. It was excavated in the 1950's and is open to visitors. It's an interesting attraction.
I was just about the only visitor at the ruins of the Temple of Zeus during my trip because Olympia is off the beaten tourist track. The on-going restoration of the Olympic Games site should boost tourism.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Iraq

Why these ancient Seven Wonders gardens were special
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are the most controversial of all the Seven Wonders because some archeologists doubt they ever existed. After exploring the ruins firsthand and reading extensively, I believe they did exist, but on a less grand scale than widely thought. 

Why were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon built? 
The most popular account is that King Nebuchadnezzar II (of biblical fame) constructed this wonder in the 6th century BC to please his wife. Babylon's flat desert-like landscape made her homesick for the verdant mountains of Media where she was reared. So, the king built an artificial, terraced hill lushly cultivated with trees and flowering plants.
Others say that a powerful Assyrian queen built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for her own pleasure. Others believe it was conceived much earlier by an Assyrian king. Yet other experts go so far as to think that the Hanging Gardens existed in Nineveh, not Babylon.

Interesting tidbits about 
the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
 Ancient accounts of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are scarce. Although several ancient Greek writers describe them, none ever saw them. And, "hanging gardens" was never mentioned on any of the numerous clay-tablet records that archeologists excavated from Babylon.
What remains of what is widely believed to be the Hanging Gardens site is mainly red brick rubble.
Substantial water was needed for irrigation because water evaporates quickly in Babylon's arid environment.
Devising a workable watering system was more of a challenge than erecting the gardens. The water had to be diverted from the Euphrates River and raised to the level of the holding tank above the Hanging Gardens.
And, the Hanging Gardens could collapse if water were absorbed by the brick columns and foundation supporting the gardens. 
The estimated lifespan of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was only a century or so, likely due to neglect. This in turn caused water damage and clay brick deterioration. 
The gardens "overhang" the terraces rather than "hang" from ropes. A long-ago translator apparently erred.
Babylon was one of the world's most impressive cities with its magnificent palace, temples, walls and gates. The 5th century BC Greek historian Herodotus wrote, "Babylon surpasses in splendor any city in the known world." It's possible that Babylon was originally on the Seven Wonders list and a Medieval scribe took it upon himself to substitute the Hanging Gardens for it.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Turkey

Why this ancient Seven Wonders tomb was special
The 4th century BC Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was not only imposing, it was ornately decorated (see picture) with columns and statues. Its step-pyramid roof was crowned with a large dramatic sculpture of four horses pulling a chariot carrying the King Mausolus and his Queen Artemisia.
The marble tomb was as high as a modern 14 story building and, from its strategic hillside location, overlooked Halicarnassus and its bay.
Queen Artemisia commissioned the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in 353 BC for her husband. In tribute to her husband, she spared little expense in hiring some of the best craftsman and sculptors of her day.

Interesting tidbits about
the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
King Mausolus was just an average provincial ruler of the vast Persian Empire 2300 years ago. His life would not have made him famous in history. His dead body did.
Queen Artemisia died two years after her husband (and brother) King Mausolus. She was buried along side him in the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
The tomb wasn't quite finished when Queen Artemisia died. The builders decided to finish the building project because, according to the Roman historian Pliny, the tomb was not just a memorial to the royal couple, but also to the sculptor's art.
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus stood reasonably intact for 17 centuries. Then, around 1400 AD, a series of earthquakes gradually collapsed the tomb.
About a hundred years later, the Knights of St. John of Malta were expecting an attack from an enemy. This motivated them to take the available blocks from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus ruins to reinforce the walls of their crusader castle across the bay.
No one knows what happened to the bodies of King Mausolus and his queen - and of the artistic treasures that were likely interred with them.
Little was remaining when I explored the Mausoleum at Harlicarnassus site (2300 years after it was built). It is uncertain whether the marble debris on the ground came from the tomb or subsequent structures.
However, King Mausolus's name lives on in its modern word derivation. Dictionaries define "Mausoleum" as a large, stately tomb.
You can view some of the statues (and other items) that apparently were part of the tomb in the British Museum.
The city of Halicarnassus is now named Bodrum.
Bodrum is now a major vacation destination. Its most popular attraction, though, is not the Mausoleum at Halicarnnasus ruins but rather the crusader castle that is partially made from the tomb ruins. Bodrum is also known for its large fleet of chartered wooden sail boats. They are quite charming and sail the Turkish coast. Bodrum is a Hillman Wonders Bronze Medal winner. Click the round green "top 1000 wonders list" button to see my complete list of my Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal winners.

Lighthouse of Alexandria
Egypt

Why this ancient Seven Wonders structure was special
The Lighthouse of Alexandria is one of the greatest architectural feats of antiquity. It was at least as tall as a 40 story modern building and stood for over 16 centuries.

Interesting tidbits about 
the Lighthouse of Alexandria
Unlike the other six ancient Seven Wonders of the World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria had practical purposes. It helped seafaring ships find the harbor and then safely enter it (treacherous shoals existed just outside the harbor). The lighthouse also served as a military lookout for approaching enemy ships. It was also a tourist destination (with two observation platforms).
It was obviously solidly constructed. It survived for some 1600 years despite being assaulted by fierce winter sea storms and many earthquakes. 
The Lighthouse of Alexandria employed two types of beacons placed near the building's summit. At night, a bonfire generated the light. During the day, a mirror created it by reflecting and directing sun rays. The mirror was probably a large, round, concave disc made of polished metal.
A fanciful account would have us believe that the mirror was used to burn approaching enemy ships by focusing the sun rays on them. 
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was conceived in the early 3rd century BC by the ruler Ptolemy I, an ex-general of Alexander the Great, the conqueror who founded and gave his name to Alexandria. Ptolemy II (the son of Ptolemy I) finished constructing the Lighthouse of Alexandria about 25 years later.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria had three basic structural elements. A rectangular base, an octagonal midsection, and a cylindrical upper section which housed the beacon (see above picture).
Estimates for the combined height of the three sections range from 100 to 180 meters (330 to 600 feet). A consensus of reliable sources sets the figure at about 120 meters (400 feet).
Except for the great pyramids of Egypt, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was the tallest structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower was erected in 1889.
During the 1300's, the gradual disintegration of the Lighthouse of Alexandria accelerated. The chief culprits were human neglect and a series of unusually severe earthquakes. By 1400 AD, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was in ruins.
What happened to the fallen building blocks of the Lighthouse of Alexandria? Some were used by Sultan Qaitbay in the mid 1400s to build a fortress on (or near) the lighthouse's site. Today, this seaside fort is the focal point of Alexandria's harbor and is as sturdy as ever.
In 1994, a scuba-diving archeological expedition explored and mapped the harbor's seafloor near the lighthouse's site. They located over 2,000 submerged large building blocks, which they say were part of the lighthouse. Some critics believe that the stones have nothing to do with the lighthouse because many of the sunken objects came from even earlier ancient Egyptian buildings. The archeologists counter argue that the ancient Egyptians commonly recycled material from old structures - and the builders of the Lighthouse of Alexandria were no exception.
The structure is also well known as the "Lighthouse of Pharos." It was named for the small island Pharos in Alexandria harbor upon which the lighthouse was built. A causeway connects the island with the mainland. 
The Lighthouse of Pharos became so renowned that the name "pharos" is the root of the word "lighthouse" in several languages (for instance, "phare" in French).