The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The seven wonders of the world are the preeminent architectural and sculptural achievements of the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East, as listed by various observers. Included on the list were the following: (1) Pyramids of Giza, the oldest of the wonders and the only one of the seven substantially in existence today. (2) Hanging Gardens of Babylon, a series of landscaped terraces ascribed to either Queen Sammu-Ramat or King Nebuchadnezzar II. (3) Statue of Zeus at Olympia, a large, ornate figure of the god on his throne, was made about 430 BC by Phidias of Athens. (4) Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, a structure famous for its imposing size and for the works of art that adorned it.(5) Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, monumental tomb of the Anatolian king Mausolus built by his window Artemisia. (6) Colossus Rhodes, a huge bronze statue built at the Harbour of Rhodes in commemoration of the raising of the siege of Rhodes (305-304 BC). (7) Pharos of Alexandria, the most famous lighthouse of the ancient world, was built for Ptolemy II of Egypt about 280 BC on the island of Pharos off Alexandria.