7 Ancient Wonders of the World

By Prannay Roy

There were many different ancient artefacts which were magnificent at the time but these seven outstanding pieces of art were the seven wonders of the ancient world according to the leading archaeologists and historians. These seven wonders were chosen because the wonder, in some way, was something made at the forefront of engineering.The seven ancient wonders are The Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of Airtimes, Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria and Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The only standing wonder out of all of these is the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Introduction

1. The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the tallest and the biggest out of the 3 pyramids in Giza. It’s proper name is The Pyramid of Khufu and The Pyramid of Cheops. The pyramid was estimated to be around 280 Egyptian cubits tall (480.6 ft.), but with erosion and the absence of the Pyramidion (the tip of the pyramid) it is now 455.4 ft.. It is also estimated that the pyramid is made from 2.3 million limestone blocks.The other reason why this is one of the seven wonders of the world is because: It is the tallest of the three pyramids of Egypt Until the 19th Century it was the tallest building in the world It is 4500 years old and it sill is upright The only Wonder out of the 7Ancient Wonders that still stands It took twenty years for a force of 100,000 slaves to build the pyramid The 2.3 million stones were lifted into position by the use of immense

machines which was the state of art technology at the time.Therefore this was one of the ancient wonders of the world simply because of the scale of the structure, the use of the immense structures and the amount of planning and hard work that had gone into making this building.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The hanging gardens of Babylon is considered to be the most poetic wonder in the world. Although this wonder’s existence is up for dispute. It is said to be built under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II around early seventh century BC, which he dedicated to his wife Amytis, of Media. As Amytis came from the mountains and greenery, she missed her homeland. However, there is an other story claiming that the hanging gardens were constructed by an Assyrian Queen Semiramis during her five year reign, which is less reliable according to the historical sources. Thus, they are sometimes called the Hanging Gardens of Semiramis.Here are reasons for it to be a part of the 7 ancient wonders of the world: The hanging gardens were built in the city-state of Babylon, whose ancient

ruins lie about 50 miles to the south-west of Bagdad, in Iraq. The current location is Al Hillah, Babil.

It did not really “hang” as being suspended. The name comes from an inexact translation of the Greek word kremastos or the Latin word pensilis, which mean not just “hanging”, but “overhanging” as in the case of a terrace or balcony. 

The huge variety of the plants from all over the world were planted alongside each other and managed to survive due to the amazing garden irrigation with the use of chain pump which was the latest kind of technology at that time.

So, the hanging gardens became a wonder due to its magnificent design, the technology used (the pump) and the huge variety of plants that were once put on display.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

3. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

By 600 B.C., the city of Ephesus had become a major port of trade and an architect named Chersiphron was engaged to build a new large temple with high stone columns.The Greek Artemis is the goddess of the hunt. The shrine of goddess was first built in 800 B.C. but then it was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the next few hundred years. Then in 550 B.C. King Croesus of Lydia conquered Ephesus and the other Greek cities of Asia Minor. During the fighting, the temple was destroyed. Theodorus built it again. Features were: About 300 feet in length and 150 feet wide with and area four times the size of

the temple before using more than one hundred stone columns supported a massive roof. The new temple soon became the pride of Ephesus until 356 B.C. It was Herostratus, young Ephesian, burnt the temple to the ground.

Again, it was rebuild by Scopas of Paros, one of the most famous sculptors of his days. Ephesus was one of the prominent cities in Asia Minor, so no expense was spared in the construction. Well-known historians all over the world worshiped the construction and called it “wonderful monument of Grecian magnificence, and one that merits our genuine admiration.” The cause of astonishment was not only the temple itself but the four bronze statues of Amazon women.

So the Temple of Artemis was a wonder because of its great heights lengths, the number of columns and the amazing way that the city has improved the temple every time it has been destroyed.

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

4. Statue of Zeus at Olympia

The Statue of Zeus is one and only creation from the other six worlds’ ancient wonders which was located on the Europe Continent. It was built by the famous Greek sculptor Phidias, approximately 432 BC. It was staged in honour of Zeus.Reasons why this was chosen to be a ancient wonder: It was considered to be the most famous artistic work in all of Greece. The philosophers, ancient travellers, writers were certainly astounded

when they witnessed the beauty of this statue. Its said that, “If a man, with a heavy heart from grief and sorrow in life,

will stand in front of the statue, he will forget all these.” The base of the statue was approximately 6.5 metres by 10 metres. It

was probably over a metre high. The statue was 13 metres high The statue was not made of stone, it was made of gold and ivory.The reason why this was an ancient wonder is because it was so big and grand, Zeus was sculpted in an amazing way according to the descriptions and the fact that people who visited the temple said that if you had a heavy heart and stood in front of the statue all this would go away.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

5. Colossus of Rhodes

The island of Rhodes was an important economic centre in the ancient world. The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek Titan Helios, made in the city of Rhodes on the Greek island of Rhodes by Chares of Lindos between 292 and 280 BC. It was constructed to celebrate Rhodes’ victory over the ruler of Cyprus, Antigonus I Monophthalmus, who unsuccessfully besieged Rhodes in 305 BC.The statue was destroyed by an earthquake. Before its destruction, the Colossus of Rhodes stood over 30 meters (107 ft.) high, making it one of the tallest statues of the ancient world.Facts about the Colossus: It was 60m high. A giant human figure constructed of bronze plates placed under a

framework of iron. According to Plini, a historian, the construction time was 12 Years.The Reason why the Colossus of Rhodes was an ancient wonder was just because of the height of the statue and the different types of techniques and the state of the art technology that would have been used at that time.

Colossus of Rhodes

6. Light house of Alexandria

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. It was situated on the small offshore island of Pharos, lighting the way for many sailors navigating the tricky harbour. After Alexander the Great’s death, in 323 B.C., Photemy Soter ruled over the Egypt made the city even more prosperous and famous for its wealth. This meant that the city harbour was very busy Photemy saw a need of a symbol, as a result he authorized the building of the Pharos in 290 B.C. and the building was completed after twenty years. Reasons for why The Light house was a wonder: When it was finished it was the first light house in the world It was the tallest building in the world about 140 m with the exception of the Great

Pyramid of Giza It took 800 talents ( around 3 billion pounds) This showed the impressive construction techniques used in Egypt, as Egypt had 2

wonders. (The Great Pyramid of Giza and The Light house).The reason why this was an ancient wonder is because it was very high, one of the first light houses, a great symbol for Alexandria. One of the most amazing features of this light house was a mirror positioned inside it that could reproduce a light effect in excess of 35 miles, which was used to destroy and burn the enemy ships marching towards this place.

Light house of Alexandria

7. Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was a tomb built between 353 and 350 BC at Halicarnassus.  By that time the city of Halicarnassus was a capital of small kingdom along the Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor. In 353 BC Artemisia, the wife of Mausoleus build this most splendid tomb

in his memory to immortalize his name for centuries. Its stucture became so famous that Mausolus’s name is now associated

with all grand tombs through our modern word mausoleum. The structure as an oblong with 36 (Ionic) columns and a pyramid on top

with a perimeter of about 440 feet. The sepulchral monument was built and adorned by the greatest

architects and sculptors of the time with statues, marble lions, and a frieze.

Famed sculptors such as Bryaxis, Leochares and Timotheusjoined him together with other craftsmen.

The reason why it became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was the beauty of the building being unique rather than its size.

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

The theme that I have set my seven modern wonders of the world is Man Made Islands. It is quite interesting that how humans have made such amazing little islands not just to live on but also to expand the architectural knowledge. The Seven Man Made Islands I believe to be my 7 wonders of the world are: The World Islands, The Pearl-Qatar Island, The Venetian Islands, The Reef Island, The Palm Island, The Dubai Water Front and The Eden Island.

My 7 Wonders of the World

The World is the latest complete island

paradise, with the last stone on the breakwater added on 10 January this year.

It is the best way to add land mass to a city. Dubai developer, Nakheel, has added more

than 1,500 km of beach front to the Dubai coastline.

There are 300 different islands in the shape of the continents, on which the developers can choose, to build estates on.

All islands are accessible only by marine or air transport, with world-class marinas to berth boats, yachts and cruise liners. 

The World Islands

Location: Off the Dubai city coast line, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eastern Arabian Peninsula.

The Palm Islands are made of 3 different types of Palm Islands; Palm Jumeirah, Palm Deira and Palm Jabel Ali. Facts: A surrounding crescent island that forms an

11 km-long breakwater. It created 4,000 residences 50 hotels, 1,400 villas on 11 of the fronds of

the island and 2,500 shoreline apartments in 20 buildings on the east side of the trunk.

Covers an area of 7 million square meters This is so grand that you can see it from

space and Google Maps. The reason why I chose this as a wonder was because the hear work and planning that has gone into the this project was immense and the scale was just amazing.

The Palm Jumeirah

Location: Off the Coast of Dubai.

The Palm Jabel Ali is the second Palim islands in the Palm trilogy.Facts: 50% larger than the Palm Jumeirah Includes six marinas, a water theme park,

'Sea Village', homes built on stilts above the water

The circle (fronds) around the palm spell out a poem in Arabic.

It houses more than 250,000 peopleI chose this to be a wonder because of the immense effort and planning that has gone into making the islands also the thought of making islands to expand the Dubai’s coast line.

The Palm Jabel Ali

Location: Off the Coast of Dubai.

The final one of the Palm islands in the Palm trilogy is the Palm Deira it is the biggest of the three and the grandest.Facts: 5 times larger than Palm Jabel Ali and 8

times larger than Palm Jumeirah. It is so big that they can be seen from

space. It is  intended to house 1 million people It consists of 24 islets It covers 80 square kmThe reason why I thought that this was one of my wonders is because of the scale of the build, the design of a palm tree and then came the amount of different houses and buildings on these islands.

The Palm Deira

Location: Off the Coast of Dubai.

The Dubai Waterfront looks like a giant C attached to the edge of Dubai. It is right next to the Palm Jabel Ali. Facts: A population of 1.5 million people This produces a shelter around

the Palm Jebel Ali. This resembles the most widely

recognized symbol of Islam, the star and crescent.

The reason why this is one of my wonders is because of the amount of work gone into the making of this and the clever use of the star and the Crescent.

The Dubai Waterfronts

Location: Off the western shores of Dubai

The Pearl-Qatar is a multi-billion dollar

artificial island created almost 20 miles of new coastline.

It provides 985 acres Fronted by more than 12 miles of pristine

beaches Over 40,000 residents in more than 15,000

dwellings within 12 zones. It offers freehold and residential rights to

international investors. Shaped like an exotic string of pearls, the

Pearl-Qatar will allow room for 800 guests among its 40,000 residents to enjoy three marinas, three 5 star hotels, plus almost half a million square feet of retail, dining and entertainment space.

The Pearl-Qatar Island

Location: one mile off he Doha coastline of Qatar

A private island, with secluded beaches, a world-class commercial precinct, international marina capable of handling super-yachts as well as a range of activities and leisure facilities for your exclusive use. It is a 99-acre residential marina

development. Mild tropical weather all year round Luxury apartments, mantions & villas Uniquely Seychelles vernacular architectural

style Swimming, diving, water skiing, sailing,

fishing, windsurfing, hiking, cycling, boating, sunbathing

Breath taking views over mountains, ocean, forests and nearby islands like Cerf and Ste. Anne.

Easily accessible via the International Airport

This man made island is my wonder because it is designed within the principles of organic island living. Eden Island is absolute Paradise - built in Paradise.

The Eden Island

Location: Off the coast of the main island of Mahé in the Seychelles archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, 93 miles east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar.