4. Antipater of
Sidon
The Greek poet
responsible for attributing
The 7 Ancient Wonders.
5. Lucky Number 7
The 7 Wonders were chosen because the
Greeks believed the number 7 represented
perfection and plenty. The number 7 also
resembles the five planets plus the sun plus the
moon, which equals lucky number 7.
6. The Pyramid of Giza
The Pyramid of Khufu,
along with two other
pyramids, are precisely
aligned with the constellation
Orion. It is the most
accurately aligned structure
in existence that faces true
north.
7. The Three Main
Ascending/Descending Chambers
It is the only pyramid known
to have ascending and
descending chambers. It also
has an elaborate air duct
system that keeps the
interior temperature at a
constant 68 degrees
fahrenheit.
8. Menkaure, Giza and Khafre
Originally covered with a highly polished casing stone,
which made the pyramids shine like jewels.
9. The (Over)Hanging
Gardens
The (Over) Hanging
Gardens, as described by a
Greek historian, were said to
be about 400 ft. tall by 400 ft.
long, full of lush gardens, exotic
animals, fountains, waterfalls
and a very primitive water
irrigation system that carried
water upwards.
10. Queen Amytis
King Nebuchadnezzar 11
(King Neb) built the
gardens to imitate the
homeland of his beloved
queen. Another possible
theory is that Queen
Sammu-Ramat built it during
her reign in 810 B.C.
11. Queen Sammu-Ramat
The Queen built the
gardens as a private
sanctuary. She was
rumoured to have used it as
a brothel to carry on her
promiscuous affairs with
lovers and long string of one
night stands with handsome
soldiers.
12. The Famous(Over)Hanging Gardens
If the gardens did exist, it would have taken over 80,000 gallons of water each day to
keep the them watered. Recent excavations have found traces of aqueducts, which
could have supported such a garden.
13. The Temple of Artemis
The temple was totally constructed in marble, the first building in
history to be constructed so. It has burned to the ground twice.
14. Herostratus
Herostratus burned the temple to the
ground the second time to make
himself famous. His plan backfired, as
anyone who spoke his name afterwards
was sentenced to death.
15. The Remains
of the Temple
of Artemis
The temple is located in Turkey. It
was completely rebuilt three times,
before its eventual destruction.
Lost in time, but then recently
discovered in 1869.
16.
17.
18. The Statue of
Zeus at
Olympia
It was constructed to honour
the greatest Greek God
ever, and the father of the
Olympic games.
19. Zeus of Olympia
Stands 42 feet tall
Ornamented in gold, marble,
ivory and jewels
Holds a figure in his right hand
of his favourite messenger
(Nike) the goddess of victory
Gave birth to the Olympic
Games if 776 B.C.
20.
21. The
Mausoleum at
Halicarnassus
The city has been invaded by pirates and
Alexander the Great. Both times, the
temple was left untouched. In 1552, the
Mausoleum was raided by crusaders. The
tombs of Mausolus and Artemisia were
never seen again.
22. The Colossus of Rhodes
In 357 B.C. the island was conquered by Mausolus of Halicarnassus,
but ultimately ended up underneath Alexander the Great’s siege.
23. Helios the Greek Titan God
Helios straddled the harbour’s entrance, boats crossed under his legs to the harbour
to trade. The statue stood 120ft. tall and was made of bronze and iron. It stood on a
54 ft. pedestal. It lasted 53 years, one of the shortest lived wonders.
24. Lighthouse of
Alexandria
The lighthouse was the first in
the world to be constructed. It
was designed to guide trade
ships safely into the harbour.
25. It is located in the city of Alexandria, one of 17 cities
named Alexandria, named after Alexander the Great.
It cost 800 talents, the equivalent of 3 million dollars,
and stands 450 feet tall.
The smoke from the fire guided sailors during the day,
the light from the fire guided the sailors at night.
The smoke and light could be see for as many as 100
miles away.
26. Alexandria Today
The lighthouse once stood 450
ft. tall on the island of Pharohs.
It now lies at the bottom of the
Mediterranean Sea.
Despite surviving a tsunami with
virtually no damage, it eventually
fell victim to earthquakes, time and
mankind.
