Contrary to the common belief, only the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), not all three Great Pyramids, is on top of the list of
Wonders. The monument was built by the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty around
the year 2560 BC to serve as a tomb when he dies. The tradition of pyramid building
started in Ancient Egypt as a sophistication of the idea of a mastaba or
"platform" covering the royal tomb. Later, several stacked mastabas were
used. Early pyramids, such as the Step Pyramid of King Zoser (Djoser)
at Saqqara by the famous
Egyptian architect, Imhotep, illustrate this connection.
The pyramids of Egypt were built as a burial place for the pharaoh god-kings. Egyptians believed the pharaohs held the key to the after life for everyone and the pyramids show this strong belief in life after death. The first pyramid to be built was started around 2600 BC. and was for the pharaoh Zoser. This pyramid does not compare with others built later on. It was constructed of steps of small, square stones and surrounded by the beautiful white limestone temples. These temples were used by priests to worship the dead pharaohs.
Building a pyramid took many years and was a public works project. Thousands of Egyptians people worked with architects when they were able to leave their farms because of the season. The most impressive pyramid, that of Cheops (or Khufu), took 100,00 people working over a twenty year period. Built along the Nile, the Great Pyramids are located in Giza.
Throughout their history, the pyramids of Giza have stimulated human imagination. They
were referred to as "The Granaries of Joseph" and "The Mountains of
Pharaoh". When Napoleon
invaded Egypt in 1798, his pride was expressed through his famous quote: "Soldats! Du
haut de ces Pyramides, 40 siècles nous contemplent". (Soldiers! From the top of
these Pyramids, 40 centuries are looking at us)
Today, the Great Pyramid is enclosed, together with the other pyramids and the Sphinx, in the touristic region of the Giza Plateau.
Also in the area is the museum housing the mysterious Sun Boat, only discovered in 1954 near the south
side of the pyramid. The boat is believed to have been used to carry the body of Khufu in
his last journey on earth before being buried inside the pyramid. It may also serve him as
a means of transportation in his afterlife journey according to Ancient Egyptian
beliefs.
Seven Wonders of the World:
1.
Location Pyramids of Giza
At the city of Giza,a necropolis of ancient Memphis, and today part of Greater
Cairo, Egypt.
.
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.
7. The Pharos of Alexandria
(3rd century BC), located in Alexandria, Egypt, was a famous ancient lighthouse.
