Shortly after the death of Alexander the Great, his commander Ptolemy Soter assumed power in Egypt. He had witnessed the founding of Alexandria, and established his capital there. Off of the city's coast lies a small island: Pharos. Its name, legend says, is a variation of Pharaoh's Island. The island was connected to the mainland by means of a dike - the Heptastadion - which gave the city a double harbor. And because of dangerous sailing conditions and flat coastline in the region, the construction of a lighthouse was necessary.
The project was conceived and initiated by Ptolemy Soter around 290 BC, but was completed after his death, during the reign of his son Ptolemy Philadelphus. Sostratus, a contemporary of Euclid, was the architect, but detailed calculations for the structure and its accessories were carried out at the Alexandria Library/Mouseion. The monument was dedicated to the Savior Gods: Ptolemy Soter (lit. savior) and his wife Berenice. For centuries, the Lighthouse of Alexandria (occasionally referred to as the Pharos Lighthouse) was used to mark the harbor, using fire at night and reflecting sun rays during the day. It was even shown on Roman coins, just as famous monuments are depicted on currency today.
When the Arabs conquered Egypt, they admired Alexandria and its wealth. The Lighthouse continues to be mentioned in their writings and travelers accounts. But the new rulers moved their capital to Cairo since they had no ties to the Mediterranean. When the mirror was brought down mistakenly, they did not restore it back into place. In AD 956, an earthquake shook Alexandria, and caused little damage to the Lighthouse. It was later in 1303 and in 1323 that two stronger earthquakes left a significant impression on the structure. When the famous Arab traveler Ibn Battuta visited Alexandria in 1349, he could not enter the ruinous monument or even climb to its doorway.
The final chapter in the history of the Lighthouse came in AD 1480 when the Egyptian Mamelouk Sultan, Qaitbay, decided to fortify Alexandria's defense. He built a medieval fort on the same spot where the Lighthouse once stood, using the fallen stone and marble
Seven Wonders of the World:
1. The Pyramids of Giza
Built in the 3rd millenium BC,are the oldest of the seven wonders and the
Only ones remaining intact today.
2. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Perhaps built by King Nebuchadnezzar II about 600 BC, were a mountainlike
Series of planted terraces.
3. The Statue of Zeus
(5th century BC) in Olympia, Greece, was created by Greek sculptor Phidias.
4. The Temple of Artemis
(356 BC) was located at Ephesus in Greece.
5. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
(4th century BC) was a monumental marble tomb.
6. The Colossus of Rhodes
(280 BC) was a bronze statue of the Greek sun god Helios.
Note: The color painting at the top of the page is of artistic nature and does not necessarily Represent an accurate reconstruction of the Wonder.
