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The first of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt. The last of the Seven Wonders was also built in Egypt 2,300 years later. It was known as the Pharos of Alexandria. The time span between the construction of these two structures represent about half of recorded history. Even before recorded history, people began putting lights along the coast in order to guide sailors at night. They began by simply building huge fires on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Eventually, these fires were placed on stones so that they could be seen more easily. More and more stones were used until the fires sat high on a stone tower. This is how the idea of a lighthouse was born.
The first, tallest, and most magnificent lighthouse in history was built outside the harbor of Alexandria, Egypt in 279 B.C.E.. It was built on a small island named Pharos in the Mediterranean Sea. The lighthouse was called “Pharos” after the island on which it was placed and became so well-known that the word ‘pharos’ means lighthouse in many languages. The Pharos of Alexandria was different from all of the other Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was not only beautiful and an architectural marvel, it served an important function for the city. It provided sailors a beacon to guide them to a safe return to the harbor. The lighthouse was built so well that it lasted about 1,500 years.
The idea for the lighthouse originated with Alexander the Great. As the Macedonian conqueror extracted his far-reaching empire, he named many cities after himself. Most no longer exist, but one that he not only named after himself, but founded as well, is Alexandria, Egypt. While sailing on the Nile River one day, he saw a site west of the Nile’s mouth that he felt would be a good location for a city. He stopped and told his men how he wanted the city laid out. The city was designed with areas for palaces, parks, and gardens. Alexander died before the city was built. Ptolemy Soter succeeded Alexander, and after Alexandria was completed, he ordered the lighthouse to be built. He too died before the lighthouse was completed. His son Ptolemy II completed the project.
The first, tallest, and most magnificent lighthouse in history was built outside the harbor of Alexandria, Egypt in 279 B.C.E.. It was built on a small island named Pharos in the Mediterranean Sea. The lighthouse was called “Pharos” after the island on which it was placed and became so well-known that the word ‘pharos’ means lighthouse in many languages. The Pharos of Alexandria was different from all of the other Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was not only beautiful and an architectural marvel, it served an important function for the city. It provided sailors a beacon to guide them to a safe return to the harbor. The lighthouse was built so well that it lasted about 1,500 years.
The idea for the lighthouse originated with Alexander the Great. As the Macedonian conqueror extracted his far-reaching empire, he named many cities after himself. Most no longer exist, but one that he not only named after himself, but founded as well, is Alexandria, Egypt. While sailing on the Nile River one day, he saw a site west of the Nile’s mouth that he felt would be a good location for a city. He stopped and told his men how he wanted the city laid out. The city was designed with areas for palaces, parks, and gardens. Alexander died before the city was built. Ptolemy Soter succeeded Alexander, and after Alexandria was completed, he ordered the lighthouse to be built. He too died before the lighthouse was completed. His son Ptolemy II completed the project.
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The lighthouse consisted of three parts. The lowest section was rectangular and measured a little over 180 feet in height. This section had a cylindrical core with a circular ramp that led to the top of the lighthouse. Around the ramp, along the outer walls of the section, were rooms where the soldiers and workers lived. Just above the rectangular section was an octagonal- shaped section that was about 90 feet high. This section was smaller than the first and only housed the circular ramp to the top. The top section of the lighthouse was about 24 feet high and shaped like a cylinder. It was here that the fire that guide the sailors to safety burned. On the top of the lighthouse was a statue of a Greek god. The total height of the lighthouse, included the base, was about 384 feet.
An outstanding feature of the lighthouse was how far the light could be seen. It was recorded that the light could be seen for almost 35 miles out at sea. This remarkable technological accomplishment was possible because of the mirror that was used to reflect the light. The mirror was used to reflect sunlight during the day and the light from a fire at night. According to folklore, the mirror was so strong it could even be used to burn enemy ships as they approached Alexandria. It is likely that the mirror was made of polished brass.
In the twelfth century C.E., the lighthouse was no longer needed because the harbour had become filled with silt, so the lighthouse was not taken care of. It was toppled by an earthquake in the fourteenth century, and the ruins were eventually used for other building projects.
An outstanding feature of the lighthouse was how far the light could be seen. It was recorded that the light could be seen for almost 35 miles out at sea. This remarkable technological accomplishment was possible because of the mirror that was used to reflect the light. The mirror was used to reflect sunlight during the day and the light from a fire at night. According to folklore, the mirror was so strong it could even be used to burn enemy ships as they approached Alexandria. It is likely that the mirror was made of polished brass.
In the twelfth century C.E., the lighthouse was no longer needed because the harbour had become filled with silt, so the lighthouse was not taken care of. It was toppled by an earthquake in the fourteenth century, and the ruins were eventually used for other building projects.
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/4/98143256/published/lighthouse-of-alexandria_1.png?1512410173)
At the top of the lighthouse was a statue of a Greek god. Some believed it was a statue of Zeus, the king of the gods. Others believe it was Helios, the god of the Sun. Still others think that it may have been Poseidon, the god of the sea.
The fire in the top section of the lighthouse provided the light to guide sailors. The light was made more intense by being reflected by an enormous mirror. Some writers have suggested that the mirror was made of glass, but it was probably made of polished brass.
A ramp led from the base and circled its way upward to the top. The workers used this ramp to drive horse-drawn wagons with fuel to the top of the second level. The fuel was raised to the top through a shaft by pulleys.
Surrounding the ramp at the lower level were hundreds of rooms provided for soldiers, workers, and horses. Each room had a window so that ships could be observed as they approached Alexandria.
There was a wall around the lighthouse that protected the building from the seas. The wall, the platform on which it stood, and the lighthouse itself were not made with ordinary mortar joining the stones. Melted lead was used to make the structure safe from the pounding waves.
The fire in the top section of the lighthouse provided the light to guide sailors. The light was made more intense by being reflected by an enormous mirror. Some writers have suggested that the mirror was made of glass, but it was probably made of polished brass.
A ramp led from the base and circled its way upward to the top. The workers used this ramp to drive horse-drawn wagons with fuel to the top of the second level. The fuel was raised to the top through a shaft by pulleys.
Surrounding the ramp at the lower level were hundreds of rooms provided for soldiers, workers, and horses. Each room had a window so that ships could be observed as they approached Alexandria.
There was a wall around the lighthouse that protected the building from the seas. The wall, the platform on which it stood, and the lighthouse itself were not made with ordinary mortar joining the stones. Melted lead was used to make the structure safe from the pounding waves.
Assignment:
Use the Slides template in your Google Classroom to complete this assignment.
Provide 3-5 reasons why you believe the Lighthouse of Alexandria was considered to be one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Use images found through the explore tab to enhance your presentation
Use the Slides template in your Google Classroom to complete this assignment.
Provide 3-5 reasons why you believe the Lighthouse of Alexandria was considered to be one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Use images found through the explore tab to enhance your presentation