Quick Reference
THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Literature | Painting | Music | Architecture
Designated by Antipater of Sidon in 2nd century BC.
The Pyramids of Egypt. From Gizeh (near Cairo) southwards for 100 km. The oldest is the Zoser pyramid at Saqqara built about 2700BC. The great pyramid of Cheops covers more than 12 acres and was originally 481ft high and 756ft square.
The Hanging Gardens of Semiramis at Babylon. Adjoining Nebuchanezzars palace, 100 km south of Baghdad. Terraced gardens ranging from 25 m to 100 m above ground level, watered from storage tanks on the highest terrace. No trace remains.
The Tomb of King Mausolus of Caria. Built by Queen Artemisia in about 350BC at Halicarnassus in Asia Minor. Some fragments remain.
The Temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephestus. Ionic temple erected about 350BC in honour of the Goddess and burned by the Goths in AD262. Some fragments remain.
The Colossus of Rhodes. A bronze statue of Apollo set up about 280BC by Chares of Lindus. According to legend it stood 35m tall at the harbour entrance to the sea port of Rhodes. Destroyed in 224BC by an earthquake.
The Statue of Zeus. At Olympia in the plain of Elis. Constructed of marble inlaid with ivory and gold by the sculptor Phidias about 430BC. No trace remains.
The Pharos of Alexandria. A watch tower and lighthouse in the harbour of Alexandria on Pharos island. A 122m tall marble pyramid destroyed by an earthquake in AD 1387.
