Quck answer

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were a collection of remarkable architectural and artistic achievements from the classical era. These wonders included the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Each wonder represented the pinnacle of human ingenuity and craftsmanship, showcasing the power and wealth of their respective civilizations. Unfortunately, only the Great Pyramid of Giza remains standing today, while the rest have been lost to time and natural disasters.

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If extraterrestrial beings visited Earth, which human artistic and architectural achievements do you think would impress them the most? Would it be the Empire State Building? The Eiffel Tower? Perhaps the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

Modern humans have certainly constructed many remarkable structures. We have been honing our skills for a long time. However, even ancient humans built extraordinary structures. Many centuries ago, seven specific ancient structures gained recognition as the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, we refer to them as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to differentiate them from contemporary marvels. Let’s delve into some information about each of these ancient wonders.

Out of the seven ancient wonders, only one remains standing. It is the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. This pyramid was constructed between 2,700 BCE and 2,500 BCE, without the aid of modern machinery or tools. The Great Pyramid, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, is the largest among the three pyramids at Giza. It held the title of the tallest building in the world for over 4,000 years.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were allegedly built by a Babylonian king around 600 BCE. These gardens were located near the Euphrates River in Iraq. Situated more than 75 feet above the ground, the gardens covered a large square terrace. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were mentioned in various Greek and Roman texts. However, contemporary experts assert that these gardens never truly existed.

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia stood at a height of approximately 40 feet. It was situated at the original location of the Olympic Games. Adorned in gold and ivory, this statue resided in the Temple of Zeus for more than 800 years. Unfortunately, it was later destroyed in a fire that occurred in Constantinople in 462 CE.

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus experienced multiple destructions and reconstructions. It was always situated on the same site, which is now in Turkey. Numerous talented ancient artists contributed to the creation of this marble temple. However, in 262 CE, it was destroyed for the final time. In the 1860s, archaeologists discovered some of the temple’s columns.

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus stood in what is now Turkey. Constructed in 353 BCE, this tomb reached a height of 135 feet and consisted of white marble. It featured a base of steps topped with columns that supported a pyramid-shaped roof. The mausoleum was destroyed by an earthquake in the 13th century. Its remains were later repurposed to fortify a castle.

The Colossus of Rhodes was the tallest statue in the ancient world. It was an enormous bronze sculpture of the sun god Helios. Standing over 100 feet tall, it was completed in 280 BCE. However, an earthquake destroyed it 60 years later. Subsequently, invaders supposedly sold the remnants of the statue as scrap metal.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was completed around 270 BCE. It was situated on the island of Pharos near Alexandria. The lighthouse utilized mirrors to reflect sunlight and guide ships. It once stood at a height of nearly 400 feet. Between 956 and 1323 CE, the lighthouse was destroyed by a series of earthquakes. Archaeologists have discovered some of its remains at the bottom of the Nile River.

If you had to designate a modern set of Seven Wonders of the World, what would you select? What criteria would you use? The world contains numerous awe-inspiring buildings and structures, making it challenging to narrow it down to just seven!

Give It a Try

Are you interested in exploring the WONDERS of the ancient world? Enlist the help of a friend or family member and embark on the following activities:

Explore the Wonders of the Ancient and Modern World

Curious to see what these amazing places looked like? Take a virtual tour by browsing through the gallery of The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Once you’ve finished admiring the representations, imagine yourself living in ancient times and put the seven wonders in the order you would visit them. Which one would you choose to explore first and why?

Have you ever wondered how close together the ancient wonders were? Discover the answer and learn more fascinating facts by exploring the Seven Wonders Interactive Map. After studying the map, try to imagine if it would have been possible to visit all seven wonders in just one week. Share your thoughts on whether or not it would be feasible and explain why.

The world has undergone significant changes since ancient times. If you had the chance, which seven wonders would you choose from today’s modern world? Interestingly, a decade ago, more than 100 million people participated in an online voting to select the New 7 Wonders of the World. Click on the link to find out which wonders made it to the list of the modern world!

Sources of Wonder

• http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/seven-wonders/#Pyramids-at-Giza.png (dead link as of June 20, 2019)
• http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/sevens-wonders-of-the-ancient-world (accessed on June 20, 2019)

FAQ

1. What were the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were a collection of remarkable structures or monuments that were considered to be the most impressive and extraordinary architectural achievements of their time. These wonders included the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

2. What happened to the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?

Unfortunately, all seven of the original wonders have been destroyed or severely damaged over the centuries. The Great Pyramid of Giza, being the oldest and most durable, is the only wonder that still remains partially intact today. The rest of the wonders were either destroyed by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, or by human actions, such as wars and vandalism.

3. Are there any modern versions of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?

In 2007, a global poll was conducted to determine the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Colosseum in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in India were chosen as the new wonders. These structures were selected based on their cultural, historical, and architectural significance.

4. Why were the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World so important?

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were important because they represented the pinnacle of human achievement in architecture and engineering during ancient times. These wonders were not only grandiose in scale but also showcased the advanced skills and knowledge of the civilizations that built them. They were symbols of power, wealth, and cultural significance, and served as iconic landmarks that attracted travelers and pilgrims from all over the world.