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Not far from Ephesus, the site of the Temple of Artemis, was Halicarnassus, the capital city of Caria. Caria was part of the Persian Empire and is located in the area that is now Turkey. In the fourth century B.C.E. Persia controlled Asia Minor, Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, and parts of India. Since Persia was located so far from some of these areas, many were actually ruled by local governors. The King of Caria was a man known as Mausolus, the son of a governor who had ruled on behalf of the Persians. Mausolus ruled form 377 B.C.E. until his death in 353 B.C.E. When Mausolus succeeded his father as governor, he expanded his rule over most of southwestern Asia. Even though Mausolus and his father both acknowledged Persia as their rulers, they really had very little contact with this distant conqueror.
Mausolus was an ambitious ruler who was able to unite many Greek city-states and he spent much of his reign as governor improving that capital city, Halicarnassus. He built temples and shrines and made other improvements that made Halicarnassus a beautiful and prosperous city. One of the most lavish improvements to the capital was a beautiful palace he had built for himself and his queen.
Mausolus was an ambitious ruler who was able to unite many Greek city-states and he spent much of his reign as governor improving that capital city, Halicarnassus. He built temples and shrines and made other improvements that made Halicarnassus a beautiful and prosperous city. One of the most lavish improvements to the capital was a beautiful palace he had built for himself and his queen.
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Mausolus was married to Artemisia, who was named after the Greek goddess Artemis, the goddess of wild things and fertility. Artemisia was not only Mausolus’ wife, but she was also his sister. It sounds strange today for a man to marry his own sister, but in Caria, it was expected that the ruler should do this. Near the end of his life, Mausolus decided to build a monument to himself, so that after he died, he would be remembered. Construction began, but Mausolus died before the tomb was finished. His wife Artemisia, hired the best architects, sculptors, and stonemasons to complete the royal tomb for her husband. Unfortunately, Artemisia also died before the tomb was built, but the workers and artists continued their project until it was finished. The tomb was so magnificent that today we call any large beautiful tomb a mausoleum.
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One is tempted to compare the tomb of Mausolus to the pyramids, since both were built as tombs to bury their rulers. But they were quite different. The Great Pyramid was renown for its size, while the tomb of the Mausolus was renown for its beauty. The tomb consisted of three levels. The base or bottom part, of the mausoleum measured 126 feet by 105 feet. It was the burial chamber for Mausolus and Artemisia. A row of lion statues were placed along the top edges of the base to protect the burial chamber. The second level was smaller and placed above the first level. Surrounding the second level were elaborately carved statues of gods, goddesses, and warriors. The third level was built like a Greek temple, with columns and statues. The columns supported the roof, which was shaped like a pyramid. The pyramid was not smooth but was like steps that led up to the top of the mausoleum, which displayed a ten-foot statue of the King and Queen in a horse-drawn chariot. The tomb rose 140 feet high.
The mausoleum remained intact for 16 centuries, but it was eventually destroyed by an earthquake and then torn apart so the stones could be used for other building projects.
The mausoleum remained intact for 16 centuries, but it was eventually destroyed by an earthquake and then torn apart so the stones could be used for other building projects.
Assignment:
In 45 seconds or less provide 3-5 reasons why the Mausoleum at Helicarnassus was considered one the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. |
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