In the 2nd Century BC, a Greek poet called ‘Antipater of Sidon’ made a list of awe-inspiring man-made sites…. “I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots,” Antipater wrote, “and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labor of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, “Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand.”
Over the years, this list has incurred revisions from commentators, who either lived to see the creation of subsequent wonders or just thought they had better taste than old Antipater. But, when we say the ‘7 Wonders of the World’ in this blog, it’s Antipater’s rudimentary listicle we refer to. Just like the list, the wonders themselves have suffered a level of attrition over the years, and out of the seven only one looks much like it did two thousand years ago (the Great Pyramid of Giza). However, the other spots are still well worth a visit.
And guess what? The team of Budget Direct have created a wonderful new set of animations, rebuilding these ruins, so you can catch up on what you’ve missed. So let’s take a closer look at these wonders of the world…
1. Colossus of Rhodes
After vanquishing the Cypriot army, the Rhodians used their creative minds to create a symbol for asserting their might and instill fear and respect in the hearts of all who visited there. So, they melted down the remains of the Cypriots’ weapons and transformed them into this 100-feet statue, towering over Mandraki Harbour. Anybody sailing in would have quite a welcome as they glide under the legs of the Colossus.
2. Great Pyramid of Giza
The stones used in the construction of the great pyramid weighed up to 15 tons each, and were perhaps transported by pulling a kind of sledge across dampened sand. A team of well-looked-after, skilled artisans inhabited a temporary city while working on this enormous national project, and their huge pointy creation remained the tallest in the world for four millennia.
3. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The only one among the wonders on the list, that might not have actually existed (would Antipater lie to you?), are the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It is believed that this wonder was a gift to Amytis from her husband, the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, since his queen got homesick and was craving for the greenery of the Median Empire.
4. Lighthouse of Alexandria
As lighthouses go, this was a big one, and architect Sostratus of Cnidus had an exceptional spot for it. He started with a square base, then built it up through an octagonal middle and cylindrical tower to a burning fire at the top. The building gradually perished due to neglect, but in the 15th Century, Mamlūk sultan Qāʾit Bāy noticed what a great position it occupies and built a fort on the ruins.
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5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Mausolus of Caria was effectively the king of the Achaemenid Empire, and had conquered Lycia before invading a number of other areas in the region during the 4th Century BC. Appropriately, he was given a big send off with this tomb, which he had planned himself, which was completed after his death and named after him. It’s after this building that we use the word ‘mausoleum’ in general.
6. Statue of Zeus
While clad in gold and ivory, this statue of the sky and thunder god, created by Greek sculptor Phidias, was supported by significant amounts of wood. The deity sat in glory for eight centuries as temple life and the early Olympics games took place around him. Later, it was most likely burnt down by the Christian Emperor Theodosius II.
7. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The Sun never looked on aught so grand, indeed! Many seem to have felt this way about this temple, dedicated to the Greek goddess of chastity – Artemis. While the Goths and the Christians were among the many groups that attacked the building, it was first destroyed by a solitary madman who was looking to get famous.
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