“Wonder is born out of mystery, and it is the root of mankind’s insatiable thirst to understand.” – Neil Armstrong.
Before the wondrous information technology era, people had no idea what the world out there looked like. It wasn’t as easy to travel to the walled cities in Spain or explore the beautiful Bali beaches as we do today. You could, of course, gain wisdom by reading books or asking your friends about where they have been. But what if you rewound the clock a few more millennia? There would hardly be any resources to satisfy your wanderlust.
That’s why the original “wonders of the world” list was compiled – to provide well-off adventurers a guide on where to go. Together with Enjoyfuntrip, let’s go on a tour of the 7 ancient wonders, see where they exist, and discover their fascinating past!
About The “Seven Wonders Of The World” List
Created in the third century BC by Greek physicist and writer Philo, the Wonders of the World list is a collection of the most amazing findings in human history. They represent outstanding architectural achievements, cultural legacies, and natural marvels that have captivated people throughout history. These wonders include:
- The Temple of Artemis
- The Great Pyramid of Giza
- The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
- The Colossus of Rhodes
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria
- The Statue of Zeus
Among them, two of the wonders were located in modern-day Egypt, two in Greece, one in Iraq, and the last two in Turkey. Unfortunately, seven of them were wiped from the map due to natural disasters and warfare. The Great Pyramid of Giza is, alas, the only ancient wonder still standing.
Regardless, these wonders still symbolize humankind’s ingenuity and innovation. There were many attempts to modify the list over time – as an effort to boost tourism perhaps – but the original one still remains uncontested today.
Temple Of Artemis
First is the Temple Of Artemis, an ancient Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Built around 550 BC, it became one of the seven wonders thanks to its beauty and grandeur. Legends said this structure even doubled the size of other ancient spectacles, such as the Parthenon.
King Croesus, who had been dedicated to the wilderness goddess from birth, was behind the construction of this temple. The place he chose to build the temple was called Ephesus, which belongs to Turkey nowadays.
To give you glimpses of how it is, the wonder featured 127 Ionic columns crafted from marble, limestone, and other materials imported from nearby islands or quarried locally. Atop each column stood a sculpted relief depicting scenes from Greek mythology or everyday life. During its golden time, this magnificent temple drew visitors from all over Greece who wished to pay homage to Artemis or simply admire its beauty with their own eyes.
Unfortunately, it would not stand forever: The temple has been torn down multiple times, first by the wars in the 4th century BCE, then by natural disasters like earthquakes. Today, only the foundations remain, but they are still a powerful reminder of the ancient world.
Wonders Of The World List – Great Pyramid Of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only remaining wonder on the list and is arguably the most famous structure in all of Egypt. Located on the outskirts of Cairo, it was built over 4,500 years ago during the reigns of Pharaoh Khufu, Pharaoh Khafre, and Pharaoh Menkaure.
According to historians, the Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed as a tomb for King Khufu’s remains. It stands an impressive 138 meters tall and covers an area of 13 acres – making it one of the world’s biggest mysteries.
This enigma keeps drawing more and more tourists to Cairo each year. People are excited to visit the structure, which consists of three pyramids – Cheops, Khufu, and the Great Pyramid. A popular theory suggests that thousands of workers transported the blocks from nearby quarries. They dragged them across ancient roads explicitly built for this purpose.
Once these stones arrived at their destination, they were carefully cut into shapes with copper tools before being placed together using mortar made up of gypsum and water mixed with straw or grass fibers. This gave rise to a structure that could withstand earthquakes and erosion caused by wind or rain throughout its many centuries-long existences!
But how did the Egyptians build such a massive structure without the help of machinery? This question remains unanswered. That’s why we consider the Great Pyramid of Giza a testament to human ingenuity, and it has been studied extensively by Egyptologists. To this day, archaeologists continue to investigate the site to better understand the methods used by its builders and uncover other mysteries that may lie within.
Mausoleum Of Halicarnassus
The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is a magnificent tomb built for King Mausolus in what is now Bodrum, Turkey. Originally named after the king, the structure was so remarkable that it gave us the word “mausoleum,” which is used to describe any large and ornate tomb.
Built around 350 BCE, this ancient wonder was a fantastic feat of engineering for its time, with intricate carvings and sculptures decorating its walls and towering columns supporting its roof. It features four stories, each decorated with different types of sculpture. On the lower level were 36 Ionic columns carved from white marble imported from nearby islands like Kos and Rhodes. These supported a pyramid-shaped roof made out of stone slabs covered in bronze tiles that sparkled in the sunlight.
Above this were two more levels decorated with reliefs depicting various scenes from Greek mythology, such as Zeus fighting Typhon or Amazon warriors battling Greeks at Troy.
The topmost story featured a chariot driven by four horses surrounded by nine female figures representing the nine Muses. Interestingly, these horses were rumored to be the Four Horses of Apocalypse. If this is true, then perhaps they already foretold the Mausoleum’s ending: The structure was ruined by earthquakes during 1494 CE. That makes it the second-longest standing wonder, apart from the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Although its fate was not bound for the modern world, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus has inspired many other monuments around the world. Even today, visitors can still see some remnants, which serve as proof of its enduring legacy.
Wonders Of The World List – Colossus Of Rhodes
The fourth on the “Wonders of the World” list is the Colossus of Rhodes – an iconic statue that stood on the Greek island of Rhodes for over fifty years. It was built to commemorate a successful defense against a siege by Demetrius I of Macedon in 304 BCE and became one of the most famous monuments in antiquity.
The colossus depicted Helios, the sun god, standing tall with his arms outstretched and welcoming ships into the harbor. Despite its immense size—it measured 33 meters (108 feet) tall—the giant bronze sculpture only lasted 56 years before it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BCE.
Despite its short life span, however, the Colossus of Rhodes had a lasting impact on art and architecture worldwide. Its form inspired many statues throughout history, including Michelangelo’s David and countless replicas across Europe and beyond.
In addition to inspiring works of art, it also served as an example for later engineers who wanted to build large-scale structures such as bridges or buildings that could stand up to natural disasters like earthquakes or floods.
Wonders Of The World List – Hanging Gardens Of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon – Ancient world’s missing wonder
Located in ancient Mesopotamia, near modern-day Iraq, these gardens were an engineering marvel and a magnificent sight to behold. Constructed by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BCE, they featured lush vegetation and exotic plants from all over his kingdom.
The gardens rose to 75 feet into the air on stone terraces with water flowing down them like a cascading waterfall. The purpose of the gardens was to provide a respite from the harsh desert environment surrounding it—a place where King Nebuchadnezzar’s wife Amytis could feel at home amidst her native Persian flora.
Despite its name, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon might not exist in Babylon. Some historians argue that they were, in fact, situated at Nineveh, the ancient Assyrian capital. Other theories even deny their existence altogether. There weren’t any Babylonian writings about this structure, nor were there any traces of it found by archaeologists.
So far, there are three primary theories about the fate of these Hanging Gardens:
- They existed but were ruined during 100 AD.
- They indeed exist but were just well-documented gardens built by Assyrian emperor Sennacherib in the city of Nineveh.
- They were made up as a historical myth.
Either way, this wonder sounds like a fascinating place to hang out.
Lighthouse Of Alexandria
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Wonders of the World, a towering ancient structure that stood on the island of Pharos in Egypt.
Built around 280 BC by Sostratus and Ptolemy II, it served as a beacon for sailors entering the harbor at night and is thought to have been over 400 feet tall. The lighthouse was destroyed centuries ago, but its legacy lives on today as an icon for maritime navigation and exploration.
The impact of this tremendous ancient wonder cannot be understated; not only did it serve to guide ships into port safely, but it also inspired future generations who would continue exploring new lands by sea throughout history.
Its design and construction process were incredibly advanced for the time, allowing vessels to travel more accurately to their destination. The lighthouse was also a symbol of hope – providing a beacon of light in the darkness, which signified safety and security for sailors far from home.
Wonders Of The World List – Statue Of Zeus At Olympia
The last Wonders of the World, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, was said to be an awe-inspiring sight. Constructed in 460 BC by renowned Greek sculptor Phidias, it stood over 40 feet tall and depicted the King of Gods sitting upon a throne.
It was made from ivory and gold and adorned with jewels, making it one of the most expensive sculptures ever created in antiquity. The statue served as a powerful symbol for ancient Greeks, representing their devotion to Zeus and also signifying their dominance across much of Europe during that time.
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was not only impressive due to its size but also because it seemed so lifelike; many observers were amazed by how realistic its features appeared even though they had been crafted out of materials like ivory and gold.
It is not only a magnificent work of art and an enduring symbol of ancient Greek society. Not only does it personify their faith in Zeus as the highest power, but its grandeur also reflects their incredible wealth and prominence among other civilizations.
To this day, the statue remains an iconic symbol of the ancient world, reminding us of the power and influence held by Greece during its heyday.
Why Isn’t There A 8th Wonder?
Now, if someone asks you to name a wonder of the world, you can refer to this “Wonders of the World” list! But hey, have you ever asked yourself why weren’t there eight, or nine, or maybe ten wonders of the ancient world?
Well, the number seven is believed to be spiritually significant since it represents the sun, moon, and five other planets discovered at that time. Or maybe the ancient writers just thought seven destinations were enough for travelers who move around by chariots, horses, and wooden vessels.
If I could make a modification to this legendary list, I’d add one more wonder. It’s a simple thing that exemplifies the finest of humankind. Not a location nor a structure, but a thing. A thing you can create and hold in your own hands right now.
A wonderful cheeseburger. It is the most elegant creation for one’s taste buds.
