Greetings Dear Reader!
Thank you for returning to read this blog once again. The post '7: The Magical Number' was a success and one of the reasons why 7 is considered as a special number is that the Wonders of the World amount to 7. While the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World have been changing during the course of time, the only Wonder which has earned an honorary place in the Wonders of the Modern World is the Great Pyramid of Giza.
It is interesting to note that all the Wonders of the Ancient World did not exist at one and the same time. Each of these wonders came into existence at different times over a period of about 4000 years, right from 2600 B.C. to 1300 A.D.
The Wonders of the World have been chosen from many different countries namely the United Nations, Egypt, Brazil, Peru, Chile, India, Jordan and Mexico.
Have a look at the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World-
(1.) The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
Giza Necropolis
When the tomb of Egyptian King Khufu was built on the banks of the Nile, it was 147 meters high. But since some of the stones fell off, its height has been reduced to 140 meters. The average weight of the Pyramid is 58,40,000 metric tonnes and the volume is 25,68,000 cubic meters, The base of the Pyramid is spread in an area of about 13 acres. It is said that this Pyramid was finished in 2580 B.C., hence the estimated age of the Pyramid is 4,600 years,
(2.) The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Just a piece of useful information, the Hanging Gardens aren't hanging at all. In 605 B.C., the then reigning king of Babylonia named Nebuchadnezzar II married a princess who had come from a mountainous and lush green kingdom, while there was hardly any greenery at all in Babylon.
To ensure that the princess who had become the queen after her marriage does not miss the natural beauty of her homeland, King Nebuchadnezzar II ordered his skilled gardeners to develop terraces. Each floor on the terrace had been converted into extreme picturesque of various exotic fruit trees, and many beautiful and colouring flowers. Each floor was laid with lush green carpet-like lawns.
Today, in fact, Babylon has lost its status and entity as a city and it is known as Al Hillah situated at the geographical location of Babylon.
(3.) The Statue of Zeus in Olympia
Around the year 435 B.C., the then famous Greek sculptor named Phidias devised a huge statue for the temple to be constructed on the peak of Mt. Olympus. According to the belief of the people, Zeus resided on the very peak of the 2917-meter lofty Mt. Olympus. Phidias used ivory and gold to build the statue and adorned it with precious stones and emeralds, sapphires and rubies. The statue was 12 meters (40 feet) tall and was completed after 4 years of continuous labour on the part of Phidias.
(4.) The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Mausolus was the ruler of the small kingdom of Persia (present day Iran). After his death in 353 B.C., his queen Artemisia who came into power summoned four of the best Greek architects and ordered them to construct a unique tomb in the memory of the dead king. The construction of King Mausolus' Tomb which was counted among the Wonders of the Ancient World lasted for more than 100 years. Unfortunately, during the 11th and 12th century, massive earthquakes hit the lovely monument. A few pieces of its ruins which include a statue of King Mausolus can be seen in the British Museum of London.
(5.) The Temple of Artemis
The Goddess who was known as Diana by the Romans had the name of Artemis in Greece. Mother Earth was fertile and produced all the grain that she did only due to this Goddess. Around the year 550 B.C., the Greeks built a colossal temple for Goddess Artemis in the city of Ephesus. Sadly, in 262 B.C., foreign invaders destroyed this temple. Many centuries later, in 1874, the remains of this temple were discovered after 11 long years of excavation.
(6.) The Colossus at Rhodes
The Greeks had to face starvation since the import of grain was stopped in the year 292 B.C., when the Macedonian army laid siege around the Rhodes Island with the help of innumerable warships. The Greeks living on Rhodes Island believed that their hardship can be averted only due to the benevolence of their Sun-God Helios. The thankful people decided to construct a huge statue of their patron God at the very entrance of the harbour. The height of the statue was 37 meters. In the year 224 B.C., a massive earthquake struck the Rhodes Island and the statue fell to the ground.
(7.) The Pharaoh's Lighthouse of Alexandria
Alexander the Great established a city named Alexandria on the banks of the river Nile. After Alexander's death, Ptolemy no longer remained a general and became the king of Egypt. As the city was an important harbour for the merchant ships sailing in the Mediterranean Sea, the water routes were rendered dangerous. So King Ptolemy decided to build a lighthouse in order to warn and guide the ships.
Those were highlights of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. However, the 7 Wonders of the Modern (Current) World are-
(1.) Chichen Itza
Itza is the sacred city in Maya, also referred to as Chichen Itza. This archaeological site is rated among the most important of the Maya culture. The ruins are divided into two groups. One group belongs to the classic Maya Period and was built between the 7th and the 10th centuries A.D., at which time the city became a prominent ceremonial center. The other group corresponds to the Maya-Toltec Period, from the later part of the 10th century to the beginning of the 13th century A.D. This area includes the 'Sacred Well' and most of the outstanding ruins.
(2.) Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ spreading his holy hands in Rio de Janeiro. The statue is 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain. This statue was designed by a Brazilian architect and created by a French sculptor. It took 5 years to create the statue and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. This Wonder has become the symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people and spreads the message- 'Christ welcomes everyone'.
(3.) The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is one the greatest wonders of the world. It was enlisted in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. The Great Wall stretches approximately 8850 kilometers from the east to the west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections of this wonder are now in ruins.
(4.) Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is an Inca site located 7000 feet above the sea level atop a small hill between the Andean Mountain Range in Peru. The majestic city soars above the Urubamba Valley. It had been deemed among the 'Lost Cities', unknown until its relatively recent discovery in 1911. Archaeologists estimate that approximately 1200 people might have lived in that area.
(5.) Petra
Petra is hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains in Jordan. The whole city of Jordan is full of mysterious charm, carried on by the mysterious charm of Petra. Petra is considered as the legacy of the Nabataeans, the industrious Arab people who settled in Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Petra is admired for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(6.) Taj Mahal
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Taj Mahal is the pinnacle of of Mughal architecture and was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal who died during the birth of her fourteenth child. Her body was brought to Agra and buried in the main tomb of the Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. While the bricks used for the internal construction of the Taj Mahal were locally prepared, the white marble (Sangemarmar) used for the external construction was obtained from Rajasthan. Semi precious stones for ornamentation were brought from distant regions of India, Ceylon and Afghanistan. It took 21 years to construct the complex monument and was completed in 1653.
(7.) Colloseum
The Colosseum is the most impressive building of the Roman empire. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, it was the largest building of that era. The huge structure has been fallen into ruins, but it is an imposing and beautiful site. Emperor Vespasian, founder of the Flavian Dynasty started the construction of the Colosseum in 72 A.D. It was completed in 80 A.D., the year after Vespasian's death. Although in the 21st century, it stays partially ruined because of the damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers. The Colosseum remains an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.
Alexander the Great established a city named Alexandria on the banks of the river Nile. After Alexander's death, Ptolemy no longer remained a general and became the king of Egypt. As the city was an important harbour for the merchant ships sailing in the Mediterranean Sea, the water routes were rendered dangerous. So King Ptolemy decided to build a lighthouse in order to warn and guide the ships.
Those were highlights of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. However, the 7 Wonders of the Modern (Current) World are-
(1.) Chichen Itza
Itza is the sacred city in Maya, also referred to as Chichen Itza. This archaeological site is rated among the most important of the Maya culture. The ruins are divided into two groups. One group belongs to the classic Maya Period and was built between the 7th and the 10th centuries A.D., at which time the city became a prominent ceremonial center. The other group corresponds to the Maya-Toltec Period, from the later part of the 10th century to the beginning of the 13th century A.D. This area includes the 'Sacred Well' and most of the outstanding ruins.
(2.) Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ spreading his holy hands in Rio de Janeiro. The statue is 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain. This statue was designed by a Brazilian architect and created by a French sculptor. It took 5 years to create the statue and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. This Wonder has become the symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people and spreads the message- 'Christ welcomes everyone'.
(3.) The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is one the greatest wonders of the world. It was enlisted in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. The Great Wall stretches approximately 8850 kilometers from the east to the west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections of this wonder are now in ruins.
(4.) Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is an Inca site located 7000 feet above the sea level atop a small hill between the Andean Mountain Range in Peru. The majestic city soars above the Urubamba Valley. It had been deemed among the 'Lost Cities', unknown until its relatively recent discovery in 1911. Archaeologists estimate that approximately 1200 people might have lived in that area.
(5.) Petra
Petra is hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains in Jordan. The whole city of Jordan is full of mysterious charm, carried on by the mysterious charm of Petra. Petra is considered as the legacy of the Nabataeans, the industrious Arab people who settled in Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Petra is admired for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(6.) Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is the pinnacle of of Mughal architecture and was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal who died during the birth of her fourteenth child. Her body was brought to Agra and buried in the main tomb of the Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. While the bricks used for the internal construction of the Taj Mahal were locally prepared, the white marble (Sangemarmar) used for the external construction was obtained from Rajasthan. Semi precious stones for ornamentation were brought from distant regions of India, Ceylon and Afghanistan. It took 21 years to construct the complex monument and was completed in 1653.
(7.) Colloseum
The Colosseum is the most impressive building of the Roman empire. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, it was the largest building of that era. The huge structure has been fallen into ruins, but it is an imposing and beautiful site. Emperor Vespasian, founder of the Flavian Dynasty started the construction of the Colosseum in 72 A.D. It was completed in 80 A.D., the year after Vespasian's death. Although in the 21st century, it stays partially ruined because of the damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers. The Colosseum remains an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.
Each of the Seven Wonders of the World has its own importance. Wasn't it amazing to know about the history of these wonders? But then some of the monuments have their own mysteries, the ones which cannot be solved. One such mystery is the death of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen. What exactly is the mystery of his death? Why is the death of King Tutankhamen considered as one of the greatest mysteries of all time? All questions will be answered in the next post. Bye!
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