Likely some lists were kept in the Library of Alexandria, the world's greatest repository of important ancient manuscripts. Sadly, in 48 BC, a devastating fire in Alexandria caused by Julius Caesar in advertently spread to the library, and destroyed it. The library's nearly half million irreplaceable scrolls documenting ancient history were lost to mankind forever.
Striking anachronism
The oldest known reference to a 7 wonder listing was written in the 5th century BC by Herodotus, the famous Greek historian. This was two centuries before the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria were built.
No one knows for certainwho created the ancient
Seven Wonder list that we accept today as the "official" version Various scholars have nominated different creators. Some experts speculate that it was occasionally bastardized - perhaps as recently as the Middle Ages.
No one knows today what six of the ancient Seven Wonders looked like
All the paintings and drawings we see today stem from the imaginations of artists who lived long after those six wonders perished. The ones I use on my web pages for the seven individual wonders are perhaps the best. Lowell Thomas, whom I knew and admired, personally gave them to me in the form of literature promoting his 1956 "Seven Wonders of the World" Cinerama movie.
Related Functions
Two of the ancient Seven Wonders are royal tombs (Pyramid of Khufu and Mausoleum at Halicarnassus). Two involve Greek temples (Temple of Artemis and the Statue of Zeus, which was the focal point of the Temple of Zeus). Two relate to Mediterranean harbors (Colossus of Rhodes and Lighthouse of Alexandria). The Hanging Gardens of Babylon stand alone.
Practical public function
Only the Lighthouse of Alexandria served a practical public function. It guided mariners safely into the harbor.
Chronological list of the Seven Wonders
All were built over a period spanning 23 centuries. Chronological list (creation dates are italicized):
1. Pyramids of Khufu 26th century BC
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| Pyramids of Khufu at Giza, Egypt |
2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon 6th century BC
3. Temple of Artemis 6th century BC
4. Statue of Zeus 5th century BC
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| Statue of Zeus, (1907) by Dr Mark Jackson |
5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus 4th century BC
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| Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, (1907) by Dr Mark Jackson |
6. Colossus of Rhodes 3rd century BC
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7. Lighthouse of Alexandria 3rd century BC
Lifespans of the Seven Wonders
The Pyramid of Khufu has lasted nearly 100 times as long as did the Colossus of Rhodes. And, it has survived almost as many centuries (46) as the other six combined (52). Below are the longevity rankings (known and estimated life spans are italicized):
1. Pyramids of Khufu 46 centuries (and counting)
2. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus 17 centuries
3. Lighthouse of Alexandria 16 centuries
4. Statue of Zeus 9 centuries
5. Temple of Artemis 8 centuries
6. Hanging Gardens of Babylon 1 century
7. Colossus of Rhodes½ century
Earthquake damage
Earthquakes helped destroy the majority of the ancient Seven Wonders. The four victims are the Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and Temple of Artemis. The three exceptions are the Statue of Zeus (by fire), Hanging Gardens of Babylon (by water damage and brick deterioration) and Pyramid of Khufu (still going strong).
Suppose all of the sevenwonders were around today in their prime conditions.Which would you as a traveler like to see most?
Here's the consensus rankings based on my interviews with seasoned world travelers who are well-versed on the ancient 7 wonders:
1. Pyramid of Khufu
2. Temple of Artemis
3. Colossus of Rhodes
4. Lighthouse of Alexandria
5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
6. Statue of Zeus
7. Hanging Gardens of Babylon