The tallest Egyptian pyramid is one of the seven wonders of the world. Seven Wonders of the World: Pyramid of Cheops, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria. Temple of Artemis of Ephesus

This expression is often used in Everyday life. When emphasizing the incomparable merits of a scientific discovery, the grandeur of a structure, or the uniqueness and genius of a work of art, this expression is almost always used.

The heritage of the past preserves its memory in the seven wonders of the world: the Egyptian pyramids in Egypt, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Babylon, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, the statue of Zeus in Olympia, the Mausoleum in Helicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes in Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria in Alexandria.

These grandiose creations aroused and arouse people's admiration for their technical perfection and artistic originality. Philo was the first to identify and describe the seven wonders of the world in his works. Unfortunately, not all structures have survived to this day.

Egyptian pyramids (2550 BC)

The Egyptian land is still full of ancient mysteries. Scientists are making amazing scientific discoveries in our time on Egyptian lands, mainly in its temples and tombs. However, the unique miracle of Egypt was and remains the pyramids - artificially created mountains that house the tombs of ancient Egyptian kings under their arches. Among the lifeless sands of the desert, the pyramids amaze with their severity of outline and size. Being at the foot of the pyramid, it is impossible to even imagine how these huge, colossal stone mountains were created by human hands. It is surprising that the pyramids are made from individual hewn stone blocks.

Thousands of hands of forced slaves, Egyptians, created these huge stone structures, which were supposed to hide the mummified bodies of Egyptian kings under their arches. The tombs forever encased the immortal spirits of the pharaohs who once ruled the Egyptian lands.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon (600 BC)

Hanging Gardens Babylon were defeated by order of the ruler of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar I, in the palace in honor of his wife, the Median princess. These gardens were created during the existence of the Odyssey and the construction Greek cities, being closer to the ancient world of Egypt than to the world of Greece. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon marked the oblivion of the great empire, contemporary with ancient Egypt. But if the pyramids, despite the passing centuries, have survived to this day, then the Hanging Gardens have sunk into oblivion along with Babylon.

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (550 BC)

The Temple of Artemis of Ephesus was built many times. And the reasons for this were different: the first buildings made of wood quickly deteriorated, becoming unusable, burned in fires or were completely destroyed by frequent earthquakes. For this reason, at the turn of the 6th century BC, sparing no expense or time, it was decided to build a beautiful monastery for the patron goddess. Moreover, in such a grandiose construction neighboring states and the cities promised to help. In his description of the temple, Pliny says that one hundred and twenty-seven kings brought as a gift the same number of columns erected during the construction around the temple."

It became clear that the construction of the temple united such a large number of states and cities neighboring Ephesus in a common cause.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia (435 BC)

The only wonder of its kind that came to the European continent was the statue of Olympian Zeus. The Greeks did not honor any of the temples of Hellas worthy of the title of miracle. The Greeks chose Olympia as a miracle. They did not capture the sanctuary or the temple, but only the statue that stood inside. The god Zeus was directly connected with Olympia. Local residents remembered very well that it was here that the god Zeus defeated the bloodthirsty Cronus, his own father, in battle, who, fearing that his sons would seize his power, began to devour them.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (351 BC)

Mausoleum in Halicarnassus - this wonder of the world was built by the best craftsmen of that time, being a monument to love along with Babylonian gardens or the Indian Taj Mahal. However, unlike the Median princess, who was incapable of harming humanity, Mausolus acquired a "dark" reputation for his actions. Prosper Merimee described in his work that Mausolus squeezed the last juice out of the peoples under his power, trying to make a profit from everything. For example, under him a tax on burial and a tax on hair were introduced. The tomb of Mausolus was the last to be ranked among the seven wonders of the world.

Colossus of Rhodes (between 292 and 280 BC)

In 304 BC, standing on the walls mutilated by a long siege, the inhabitants of a small island located off the coast of Asia Minor watched the ships of the heir to the empire, Alexander the Great, sailing into the distance. The colossus was erected on the very shore of the harbor on an artificial hill lined with white marble. The construction of the statue took twelve years. It is surprising that during this time no one saw the statue. The reason for this was the construction method: as soon as a new belt of bronze sheets was attached to the frame of the statue, an embankment was erected around the colossus to make it more convenient for the builders to climb up.

And only after the embankment was removed, the city residents saw their patron god. A golden crown adorned his head. In the rays of the sun, the sparkling statue was visible a hundred miles from Rhodes. Very quickly his fame spread throughout the ancient world. However, just half a century later, a strong earthquake occurred, which almost completely destroyed Rhodes along with the colossus.

Lighthouse of Alexandria (303 BC)

Alexandrian lighthouse- the last wonder of the world associated with the name of Alexander the Great. The lighthouse was built in the likeness of a three-story tower. The height of the lighthouse was 120 meters, which made it an undeniable “rival” to the Egyptian pyramids. In a perfectly round tower surrounded by columns, a huge fire was kept burning on the third floor, which was reflected in a cunning system of mirrors. The spiral staircase, so flat and wide that carts could drive along it to a height of one hundred meters, served mainly to deliver firewood to the third floor.

The lighthouse performed several functions: it was a fortress-outpost of Alexandria, as well as an observation post - it made it possible to spot the enemy fleet long before it appeared at the city walls. The fall of the Roman Empire rendered the lighthouse unusable, it went out, the upper tower collapsed centuries later, the walls ground floor were destroyed by an earthquake in the 14th century. The remains of the ancient lighthouse were built into a Turkish fortress that still exists today.

Wonder of the World No. 5: Pyramids of Egypt

The pyramids of Egypt are the oldest of the wonders of the world, which, moreover, have survived to this day. Of course, one can argue for a long time who created these amazing stone mountains, which seem to stand forever: the desert will be replaced by a rainforest, the forest will be replaced by a desert again, and they will still remain towering above the ground, inspiring respect for their creators.

Now they are already talking about the hand of aliens, about the Atlanteans who allegedly helped the ancient builders. Even the dates given are not the ones accepted. But for now these are only hypotheses, but official version remains the same.

It is believed that the first pyramid was built by egyptian pharaoh Djoser (reigned around 2780-2760 BC). There are legends that the main role in the creation of this huge structure (about 60 meters high) was played by the great figure of those times, Imhotep. (Didn’t we see his free interpretation not so long ago in “The Mummy”?) From a later time, figurines depicting this remarkable architect have been preserved. Apparently, Pharaoh Djoser himself was so pleased with the unprecedented tomb built by Imhotep that he allowed the architect’s name to be carved on the base of his statue - an honor completely unheard of in ancient Egypt. During excavations of the mortuary temple, located near the pyramid of Djoser, scientists found fragments of several statues of the pharaoh and among them a pedestal on which the name of Imhotep was written.

One of the first ancient scientists to report on the pyramids was Herodotus. According to his stories, in order to drag the stone blocks up, an inclined embankment was built. Subsequently it was leveled. Along it, the builders, driven by the sticks of the overseers, pulled heavy stones on ropes, which were installed in place with the help of a wooden lever. How many people died under the weight of a broken block of stone, how many were maimed while laying stones, how many died from backbreaking labor right here, near the still unfinished walls of the pyramid! And this has been going on for twenty long years. When the masonry of the pyramid was completed, its steps were laid with facing blocks. They were brought from quarries located in Upper Egypt, near Aswan. The facing blocks were lifted up along the ledges of the pyramid and laid from top to bottom. Then they were polished. Under the rays of the southern sun they shone with a dazzling brilliance against the background of the cloudless Egyptian sky. Herodotus says that the construction of Khufu's pyramid lasted about twenty years. Every three months, workers were changed, the number of which reached 100,000 people. The whips of the overseers, the grueling heat, and inhuman labor did their job. After all, there were no machines for lifting two-ton limestone blocks. Everything was done only with the help of living human power. Even if we accept Taking into account that Herodotus made a number of obvious exaggerations and inaccuracies, the figures he cited still give an idea of ​​the enormous scale of work undertaken by Cheops to create a colossal tomb.In the same story, Herodotus mentions an inscription made on the pyramid, which indicated the amount spent on onions, garlic and radishes for the workers was equal to 1600 talents. “If this is really so,” exclaims Herodotus, “then how much should be spent on iron tools for work, on food and clothing for the workers?”

The pyramids are constantly being explored and very often something interesting is found, which immediately gives rise to new myths and mysteries. Currently, the so-called mines in the Great Pyramid of Cheops are being intensively studied. Interesting hypotheses are put forward by scientists R. Bauval and E. Gilbert in their best-selling book “Secrets of the Pyramids”...

The first wonder of the world of the seven wonders ancient world and the only one that has survived to this day is The Pyramid of Cheops, the secrets of which still excite the minds of people. It is located in Egypt, in Giza. It was created by order of Pharaoh Cheops, who lived around 2551 - 2528 BC, after whom it was named. This majestic structure is unmatched by anything ever built by human hands, with the exception of the Great Wall of China.

The height of the Cheops Pyramid reaches 146.6 m, which is approximately equal to the height of a fifty-story building. The foundation at the base has an area of ​​52,900 sq.m. For comparison, this area could easily fit 5 greatest cathedrals peace. The pyramid consists of huge blocks, the number of which exceeds 2 million. The large-scale dimensions of this first wonder of the world amaze the imagination and for many centuries have attracted the attention of millions of tourists from all over the world.

The young pharaoh gave the order to begin construction of the pyramid immediately after the death of his father, Pharaoh Snofu. He dreamed of building a pyramid that would preserve his name for centuries. It should be noted that pyramids were built before. These were traditional buildings for the burial of the pharaoh's mummy. But each of the pharaohs, replacing the previous one, tried to build for himself a worthy tomb, superior to the tomb of his predecessor in luxury, size and richness of decoration. Huge sums of money from the state treasury were spent on this, and the buildings cost the lives of many millions of slaves.

Before construction began, lengthy preparatory studies were carried out. Initially, it was necessary to find an area of ​​sufficient size with strong soil, since the pyramid, according to calculations, was supposed to weigh 6,400,000 tons and it was necessary to provide for all options so that it would not sink underground under the weight of its own weight. A suitable area was soon found in the desert seven kilometers west of the village of Giza.

Work on the construction of the pyramid lasted 20 years. It consists of 128 layers of stone blocks laid in steps. But then these steps were filled with stones, so that the walls of the pyramid became, although not entirely smooth, quite smooth, without protrusions.

Finally, all four triangular outer edges were finished with slabs of stark white limestone. Moreover, the edges of these plates were fitted so tightly that it was impossible to insert even a thin knife blade between them. The outer side of the slabs was polished to a mirror finish. Both during the day, in the light of the sun, and at night, in the dim light of the moon, the pyramid shone mysteriously like a precious crystal.

Inside the pyramid has an extensive system of passages. From a large gallery, 47 m long, you can get into the chamber of the pharaoh himself. This is a fairly spacious room, completely lined with granite, the length of which is 10.5 m, width 5.3 m, and height 5.8 m. It was supposed to be the last refuge of the pharaoh. However, whether Pharaoh Cheops was actually buried here still remains a mystery. This is where the secrets of the Pyramids of Cheops lie. Scientists note the fact that the pharaoh's chamber does not have any decorations with which such rooms are usually decorated. The sarcophagus has no lid and is only roughly hewn; the work was clearly not completed. And finally, air enters the pharaoh's chamber through two small passages ending in small holes in the body of the pyramid. But it’s strange, why was it necessary to install a ventilation system if the deceased pharaoh no longer needed it? That is why there were differences of opinion as to whether this building was used for the burial of the pharaoh.

The Cheops pyramid stood for almost 3,500 years, undisturbed by anything or anyone. According to the beliefs of the Egyptians, it was guarded by spirits, and they were supposed to punish anyone who dared to penetrate the secrets of the Cheops Pyramid. However, Caliph Abdallah al-Mamun, the son of Harun al-Rashid, entered the building in the hope of finding countless treasures there, as in other pyramids. And he was very surprised to find nothing there except a thick layer of bat droppings, reaching a depth of 28 m.

Today, tourists from all over the world come to Egypt to enjoy the majestic spectacle of the pyramid in the rays of the setting sun, to bow to a witness of bygone days, a monument to human vanity and the immeasurable labor of millions of slaves.

In the suburbs of Cairo, where the Nile Valley smoothly turns into the Libyan Desert, the Great Pyramids of Egypt stand on the Giza Plateau. They are like a mirage, they appear from the hot sands of the desert. In ancient times, these amazing structures were. Centuries have passed, but they are impressive in their size, and their secrets still excite the minds of scientists and researchers.

Pyramids of Giza in Egypt

The Egyptian pyramids are the most famous and tallest in the world. This is the only surviving ancient wonder of the world. They aroused the admiration of great men and mere mortals. The pyramid complex at Giza, guarded by the Great Sphinx, is part of the huge necropolis of this city.

They were built during the time of the Egyptian pharaohs of the IV dynasty, which ruled the ancient state in 2639-2506 BC. Next to the huge structures there are small temples and pyramids in which the wives of the pharaohs, their officials and priests are buried. Scientists are still studying these burials.

Until now, researchers continue to argue about the purpose of these structures. Exists traditional version, which says that the huge mounds that tower over the mortal world are the tombs of the pharaohs. Their ashes in such burials were closer to the sky and the sun. Some scientists believe that the Egyptian pyramids are temples where ministers of the cult of the Sun performed religious ceremonies. Other researchers suggest that these were scientific laboratories created for astronomical observations. German archaeologists have put forward another interesting hypothesis. They believe that the pyramids are natural generators of earth energy. Thanks to her, the pharaohs were “charged” and rejuvenated. Pharaohs visited the pyramids as regularly as a modern person goes to a psychologist or massage therapist. Most scientists believe that they were on Earth before the biblical flood. Therefore, all their secrets will have to be unraveled for more than one generation.

Egyptian pyramids: interesting facts

The great ones were built in different time under several pharaohs, who created tombs and monuments for themselves for centuries. The oldest of them is the Pyramid of Djoser. Its construction dates back to 2670. It is located in the city of Saqqara. Its height is 62 meters. The name of the author of this pyramid is known - he was the ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep. He was highly revered in Ancient Egypt, and later, even in myths, he became the main patron of crafts and arts - the son of the god Ptah.

Second largest ancient egyptian pyramid built by the son of Cheops, Pharaoh Khafre. It is lower than the nearby tomb of Cheops, its height is 136.4 meters, but since it is located at a higher high point plateau, it competes worthy with the Great Pyramid. At its top, a white basalt lining still remains, which is very reminiscent of a glacier. The internal structure of the pyramid is quite simple - two chambers, two entrances, located on the north side. One of them is located at a height of fifteen meters, and the second is directly below it, at the base of the building.

The Pyramid of Mikerin was built in 2504 BC. It is much smaller than the two great pyramids. Height - 66 meters. Scientists believe that the small size is due to the fact that Mikerin was not the legal heir to the throne. However, when he finally gained power, the structure began to have a more monumental appearance. Unlike the pyramids of Cheops and Khafre, its cladding was made of huge blocks of pink granite, which were brought to Giza from Aswan along the Nile. And downstream it was built. According to the surviving records of contemporaries, despite its more modest size, this structure was considered the most beautiful in Egypt.

Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt

Much later, similar structures were built in other areas of the country, which Egypt is proud of today. Giza, whose pyramids are known all over the world, gained great fame thanks to one of them - Cheops. It has become a real wonder of the world, which can still be seen in our time. The Great Pyramids of Egypt are rightfully considered the three most tall buildings– pyramids of Cheops, Mikerin and Khafre. But we should not forget that in this ancient city there are many small structures that keep no less secrets than the more monumental ones.

The Pyramid of Cheops in Giza was built a long time ago. It is still unknown exactly how long it took to build it. This great pyramid of Giza is believed to have stood since the time when the country was ruled by Cheops, the pharaoh of the 4th dynasty. The enormous interest in the history of its construction continues today. Myths about the pyramid There are many theories about the origin of this grandiose structure. Some of them are based on information received from Egyptologists, others have a somewhat exotic, fairy-tale touch. There is even a version that this structure was erected by aliens or some vanished civilization that lived in these places even before the appearance of the pharaohs. And they built it using unknown technical capabilities. According to such theories, the age of this pyramid at Giza is significantly higher than that indicated by modern scientists.

It is quite difficult to accurately measure the parameters of the Cheops pyramid in our time, since it has suffered greatly over its long history. Today, for example, the stone that crowned the structure is no longer there; the facing slabs have been destroyed. According to data obtained using modern measuring instruments, initially great pyramid of giza had a height of 146.5 meters. The length of one side is 232.5 meters. The sides have a slope of 51 degrees 50 minutes. Weight - 6,400,000 tons. The internal structure of the famous one is quite interesting.

Anyone who enters this majestic structure can visit four spacious rooms. These are the chambers of the king and queen, a large gallery and an underground chamber. Researchers discovered four shafts inside the pyramid. At first there was an assumption that they were necessary for ventilation of rooms, but later a bolder version arose, according to which the mines are channels to the stars.

Two of them are aimed at the North Star, the third - at the star Sirius, the fourth - at Orion. Since ancient times, people have sought to climb to the top of the Cheops pyramid, where there is a small area measuring ten square meters. There was a belief that there you could come into contact with eternity. Many famous Russians visited this mysterious place. Among them is Emperor Nicholas II. And today many tourists come to Giza who want to see this miracle with their own eyes. Those who are interested in the history of Egypt can read about.

Sphinx - guardian of the pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are guarded by the Great Sphinx - ancient sculpture, which has survived to this day. This is a lion with the head of a man. The history of the creation of this figure is no less mysterious than the history of the pyramids. There are many versions of the appearance of the Sphinx, but the most common of them says that the sculpture was built by Khafre in memory of his father, Pharaoh Cheops.

There is an opinion that the Sphinx was created much earlier, and under the pharaoh it was dug out of the sand during construction great pyramid. Some discrepancy with the first version is that the face of the Sphinx has Negroid features, while all images of Cheops that have survived to this day do not have such features.

Many legends are associated with the Sphinx's lack of a nose. The most common theory is that this mythical animal lost its nose to Napoleon's cannons during the battle between the Turks and the French in 1798. But this is fiction, because there are images from 1737 in which the Sphinx no longer had a nose. Therefore, this sculpture is a big mystery for scientists around the world who study civilization. Ancient Egypt. Many of the finds are stored in.
Nowadays, the pyramids in Giza are one of the world's main attractions, which are fraught with a great many secrets and mysteries. It is not at all surprising that the Egyptian pyramids are under the protection of UNESCO. Every year millions of tourists come to Egypt to see them and feel the extraordinary spirit of ancient times.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are an example of the exceptional popularity of inventions and structures. This the best monument in history, dedicated to the creative thought of rulers, the unbridled imagination of architects and the craft of builders. The imagination of people over thousands of years has helped to recreate the missing elements of cultural heritage, which have received the general title “Seven Wonders of the World”. Legends about the creations of human hands that have disappeared from the face of the earth continue to excite the minds of new adventurers.

Seven Ancient Wonders of the World

It is easier to understand the significance of the list of outstanding monuments for the ancient world if we draw analogies with modern ratings of the most popular attractions and phenomena. The list of the Seven Wonders of the World can be considered the first and most famous travel booklet in history. But the meaning of this small list of the greatest monuments is much deeper. Unfortunately, grandiose buildings not preserved. Time, disasters, natural disasters and wars have not spared the seven wonders of the world, or rather, 6 out of 7.

The history of one of the most famous lists of attractions begins in the distant past of world civilization. Perhaps the idea of ​​traveling and visiting monuments on earth North Africa, Persia, Babylon and Ancient Greece originated with the great Alexander the Great, who conquered in the 4th century BC. e. a significant part of the known world at that time. The grandeur of the plan followed by the Cheops pyramid in Egypt did not escape the attention of the wise commander. Through the common efforts of travelers, conquerors, scientists, writers of antiquity and the Middle Ages, descriptions of the greatest monuments of antiquity were compiled. It is generally accepted that the ancient historian Herodotus worked on one of the first lists of world wonders 450 years before the advent of the new era. Peru outstanding scientist and poet ancient Greece- Philo of Byzantium - belongs to the manuscript “On the Seven Wonders of the World,” which appeared around 300 BC. e.

In Ancient Greece it was considered magical, so the number of attractions on the list remained unchanged for many centuries. The canonical seven wonders of the world are a list that came down to modern times in a poem by the ancient Greek writer Antipater of Sidon. He wrote about the luxury of tombs, beautiful temple complexes, colossal monuments and hanging gardens.

Great Pyramids

By the Middle Ages, when the now-famous classic list of “Seven Wonders of the World” was formed, the Egyptian pyramids built on the western bank of the Nile were preserved on the planet and were accessible for inspection. The most ancient monuments date back to the period from 2700 to 2550 BC. e. Of the ten, three are especially striking in their size and the grandeur of the construction work carried out.

The good preservation of the structures, which have endured several millennia of drying daytime heat and ringing cold of the night, is worthy of admiration, when in the desert, as they say local residents"The stones are crying." Remarkable in engineering design and simple in form, the structures appeared thanks to the most precise measurements, which were unheard of difficult for their time. In addition to complex calculations, construction required extremely heavy stone blocks to be delivered from afar and raised to great heights.

Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt is considered the most famous wonder of the world. Pharaoh Khufu, who reigned from 2584-2561 BC. e., brought to life a grandiose plan for the construction of his necropolis on the Giza plateau. To create a pyramid and a fence around the structure, 13 hectares of land were allocated. is one of the earliest and most striking examples of the combination of human enthusiasm, imagination and engineering calculations. The construction of a necropolis can also be called the most labor-intensive historical project, given the lack of all the necessary tools and construction equipment in Ancient Egypt.

The Pyramid of Cheops is distinguished by its massiveness, abundance of internal halls, galleries, and chambers. In addition to this, for 3,800 years it topped the list of the tallest man-made structures in the world (146.7 m per year of construction). There are many interpretations and explanations related to the shape and purpose of the great pyramid. When the rays of the all-consuming tropical sun glide along the edges of the structure, the thought of the ancient ruler of Egypt, who, like these rays, wanted to go to the divine luminary after his death, becomes clear.

Babylon in Iraq

The beautiful gardens in the ancient city-state of Babylon were built by a great king around 605 BC. e. Researchers of ancient manuscripts claim that the ancient ruler approved the magnificent landscape project at the request of one of his beloved wives, who yearned for trees and herbs home country. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are the most mysterious of the wonders on the list. They are surrounded by myths and legends, the exact location of the structure has not been established, and the remains of the buildings have never been found.

Some scholars of the ancient world doubt the existence of such a luxurious ancient park on a hill located south of modern Baghdad. Maybe the gardens were generated by the imagination of storytellers? Historians find very little accurate information, facts, or documentary evidence in the chronicles of Babylon. But the ancient Greek poets claimed that the priests prepared a project hanging gardens, supervised their creation. described multi-level gardens 22 m high, equipped with machines for raising water from the nearby Euphrates River.

The Greek historian Strabo mentioned beautiful quadrangular gardens with arched vaults and stairs to lift people and water to the very top. Slaves planted trees and flowers on brick-fortified slopes of 400 m2, and a wonderful garden was protected by a roof on top. One can understand why contemporaries were fascinated by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In Iraq, in the arid land of ancient Mesopotamia, it is very difficult to create large areas of well-maintained green spaces. In historical chronicles, the gardens are depicted as beautiful and luxurious. It was not easy to achieve such perfection; this territory has received little rainfall since ancient times. The gardens were destroyed by several earthquakes that occurred two centuries after the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.

Zeus statue in Olympia

Built around 430 BC, it did not last long. e. a temple for which the sculptor Phidias created a statue of Zeus. In Olympia, Greece, a religious building dedicated to the supreme god took 10 years to build using donations from the population. The sanctuary was built from marble and reinforced with a massive colonnade made from local shell rock. The outer surfaces of the walls were decorated with bas-reliefs on which the sculptors recreated the myths about the 12 labors of Hercules - the mythical hero, the son of the supreme deity. The temple could be entered by passing through huge bronze doors.

A significant part of the cult room was occupied by a statue of Zeus. In Olympia, Greece, the ancients dedicated this deity Olympic Games. The sculpture was not created simultaneously with the construction of the temple, but over time it became the most grandiose and most magnificent part temple complex. The statue of Zeus by Phidias rested on a wide pedestal, its height together with the base was approximately 15 m. The Supreme God of Olympus sat on a throne, his cape was gilded, and ivory was used for decoration.

Fear for the safety of the statue forced the Greeks to transport it to Constantinople, but a fire destroyed the wonderful creation. Although the monument has not survived, it remains on the list of the Seven Wonders of the World. The statue of Zeus is depicted in paintings; there are models of it that accurately convey the depth of the sculptor’s intention, glorifying ancient deity. In our time, one can only imagine the true greatness of this monument, the attitude of the Greeks towards God, whom they tirelessly praised in their temples and dwellings.

Wonder of the World at Ephesus

Construction of a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess of the hunt and wildlife, ended by 550 BC. e. The Ephesian miracle is often considered one of the most famous “long-term construction projects”: its construction took approximately 120 years. Contemporaries might not have known that the religious building would be included in the list of “Seven Wonders of the World.” The Temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus was a beautiful marble building. The builders decorated it with slender columns and covered it with a wooden roof, on which they laid tiles. In this amazing building, contemporaries were amazed by the harmonious combination of decoration interior spaces with the exterior design of the entire building.

The temple, built of magnificent marble, was a favorite structure among the list of wonders of Antipater of Sidon, the compiler of this famous list. Herostratus, a young Greek, burned the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (in Turkey). This event took place in the summer of 356 BC. e. The barbaric act was caused by a great desire to become famous throughout the centuries, to achieve fame. Outraged townspeople sentenced Herostratus to death and banned the mention of his name. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus began to be gradually restored under the Turkish rulers, but the ancient shrine was again destroyed, this time by the Goths. The newly restored structure was finally demolished in 401 by an angry crowd of religious fanatics led by the Archbishop of Constantinople.

Colossus of Rhodes

One of the most recognizable ancient wonders is the Colossus of Rhodes in Greece. This grandiose monument owes its appearance to the ancient city-states that existed 2 centuries before the beginning of the new era. The population and rulers of Rhodes decided to perpetuate the memory of the victorious fight against One-Eyed Antigone and celebrate the lifting of the siege. The combat vehicles were melted down into giant statue the patron saint of Rhodes - the god Helios - 30 m high.

It is not known exactly when construction began; ancient authors give different dates in the sources. The ancient historian Pliny wrote several centuries later that the Colossus took 12 years to build. We received the task of casting a bronze statue of Helios, the god of the Sun. greek sculptors. The gigantic monument was erected on the cape, reinforced with a system of stone blocks and iron rods.

The list of “Seven Wonders of the World” lost one attraction after a strong Colossus could not resist the power of tremors and was destroyed just 56 years after its triumphant appearance in the Bay of Rhodes. The Delphic Oracle immediately commented on the fall of the statue. An ancient psychic said that the inhabitants of Rhodes angered the god Helios. The ruler of Egypt offered his help in restoring the monument, but he was refused.

Magnificent tomb at Halicarnassus

The giant white tomb was erected for the repose of the governor of one of the provinces of Persia - Mausolus - on the orders of his wife, who lived in Halicarnassus. This is the territory of the modern resort of Bodrum on the Aegean coast. The mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Turkey was erected by Greek sculptors. The structure was tall and ornate inside and out. The tomb was crowned by a pyramid of 36 columns. Mavsol's wife spared no expense on the construction of an above-ground grave; her ashes were also supposed to be in a magnificent mausoleum.

The ancient world appreciated the luxury of the tomb at Halicarnassus. The architectural grandeur of the structure and its aesthetic merits amazed not only Greek scientists and poets, but also the commander Antipater. There is a mention in historical chronicles that it was he who proposed to consider the structure one of the wonders of the world. In the 15th century, the tomb in Halicarnassus collapsed after another earthquake, and the stones were used for buildings in Bodrum. Now, when we talk about colossal funeral expenses, we remember King Mausolus, who became an example of ostentatious wealth and luxury.

Lighthouse on Faros

The lighthouse of Alexandria on the island of Pharos was one of the tallest among the ancient structures, and its base reached almost 400 m in length. It was the first lighthouse in history, during the construction of which many innovative technologies known at that time were used. The Greek architect Sostratus created the project by order of the ruler Ptolemy II in 304 BC. e. A warning system about the danger of entering Alexandria Bay past the island of Pharos in the Mediterranean Sea was created in stages over more than 20 years. The lighthouse was supposed to warn about the underwater reefs of Pharos, on which it was built.

The design consisted of three oblong marble towers, their total height could be from 120 to 140 m. The last part was a cylinder, with a fire burning at its top. Inventors came up with a way to obtain directional solar reflection using mirrors that gave a signal during the day. At night, the lighthouse attendants traditionally lit a fire. If there was no sun during the day, the sailors were warned by a column of smoke. For several centuries, the structure was considered the tallest artificial building.

Several earthquakes severely damaged the wonderful lighthouse of Alexandria on Pharos. Sailors, soldiers, traders and travelers needed it to be restored. The Arabs, having invaded Egypt, began repairs and increased the height of the structure to 30 m. At this point, the construction work was completed, and in 1480, a fort was erected in the same place, from the same building materials. The lighthouse on Pharos stood in the sea for almost 1000 years.

List of miracles - heritage of world history and culture

Scientists believe that more complete and accurate lists of the wonders of the world could be kept in the Library of Alexandria, the world's most important collection of ancient manuscripts. The vault was heavily damaged during a fire caused by Julius Caesar's invasion of Alexandria. Almost 500 thousand books and scrolls were destroyed by flames. A huge layer of cultural heritage has disappeared, on which the paths taken by world history largely depended.

The Seven Wonders of the World are valuable monuments of ancient art and architecture. These are not only beautiful sights, but also complex construction and technical solutions. Each of the creations was unique, outstanding for its time. Ancient buildings and monuments were elevated to the rank of miracles by the most outstanding scientists, creators, and rulers of the ancient world. It is little mentioned in various sources that some changes were made to the list, but its essence and name remained unchanged. The list necessarily included seven miracles, as has been the custom since the times of Herodotus and Philo of Byzantium.

Of the amazing structures of the ancient world, only the Cheops pyramid has survived to this day; the rest fell under the onslaught of barbarians or became victims of natural disasters. No one knows exactly what the six wonders of the world looked like. All images are the fruit of historical research, reconstructions, and the imagination of historians and artists. Each generation brings something of its own to the understanding of the cultural phenomenon called the “seven wonders of the world.” Each of these artifacts has its own website on the Internet. Solid scientific works are devoted to the study of man-made miracles.

The role of mythology in maintaining interest in the seven wonders of the world

For 2.5 thousand years, the ancient list of the main attractions of the Old World has excited the minds of researchers, travelers, and ordinary people. Throughout the past centuries, the attitude towards the seven wonders of the world was almost mystical. It is surprising that the ancient authors did not show any particular desire to expand the “top 7” or replace the retired attractions on the list with new monuments.

Researchers of the ancient world claim that the attitude towards miracles from the famous list was always respectful. It was believed that seven ancient architectural structures and monuments were deservedly included in the short but capacious list. Each participant in this historical “hit parade” turned into a national shrine, an object of worship and veneration.

The magic of the number 7 in ancient times was considered divine, irrational. The mythology and life of many peoples of the planet are associated with this number of elements in different spheres of life. For example, a week has 7 days. The structure may serve as an explanation solar system, or rather, the way the celestial sphere was represented in Ancient Greece. The Sun, Moon and five planets were visible to the naked eye. The ancient gods had the same names (Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury).

Wonders of the World: new version

What seven wonders of the world could compete with the wonderful structures that have disappeared from the face of the planet? Based on online voting, a list was created of other wonders of the world that have been preserved and can be admired with your own eyes. The action was organized and carried out on the threshold of the third millennium by a non-profit organization. The initiators of this grandiose action put forward several compelling reasons that prompted them to start compiling various lists and compilations of world attractions of the highest level:

• traditional ancient wonders were located only in that part of the Old World that was familiar and subjugated to Hellenic culture;
• The list did not include grandiose structures in a significant part of Asia, in the New World and in other regions;
• selection for the list was made according to criteria depending on the ideas of the ancient Greeks about wonderful monuments;
• left "overboard" natural phenomena, which sometimes surpass in their grandeur man-made miracles.

It was decided to determine the winners of the entire project separately among architectural and natural monuments. The results were also summed up twice: in 2007 and 2011. Residents of two hundred countries took part in the online survey. Based on its results, “favorites” were selected - attractions that are known to most of the planet’s inhabitants. We're talking about the Great Chinese wall, Taj Mahal in India, the construction of Machu Picchu in Peru on the territory South America and other phenomena. But the UNESCO Committee responded to this action with a statement that popular vote is not the method that should be used to search for miracles that can replace artifacts of world history and culture that disappeared in ancient times.