I was always interested in these constructions. the fact that most of them were destroyed long ago, makes me wonder:
-aside from the writings of ancient historians, is there any proof of their existence?
-have they ever been rebuilt?
-who was the last writer who saw them?
Take the famous Mausoleum at Halicarnesess: it was destroyed in antiquity. What survives of it?
The most intriguing would be the Colossus of Rhodes-it was said that it was 100 ft. high-making it the largest bronze statue ever cast (and beyond the casting technology of the times).
Has anyone found evidence of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?
outside of the great Pyramid, is there solid proof that these structures existed?
If I understand things correctly, the wonder with the least evidence supporting its existence is the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. There are many scholars who doubt it was real.
Past that and the Great Pyramids, here are the five wonders that are left:
Statue of Zeus at Olympia. Lost in the fifth century. Known from written descriptions and depictions on coins.
Temple of Artemis. Rebuilt three times, eventually destroyed fifth century. Ruins of the foundation remain.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Destroyed by earthquakes between 12th and 15th century. Extensive archeological study starting in 19th century, artifacts in British Museum.
Colossus of Rhodes. Destroyed by earthquake 3rd century BC. Ruins remained for 800 years. Later carted away. Exact site uncertain.
Lighthouse of Alexandria. Destroyed 14th century. Ruins used to construct Citadel of Qaitbay at same location. Recent archeological discovery of foundation.
As noted above, several bits of statues of this one survive as on display in the British Museum, including Mr and Mrs Mausoleus (and one of the horses – his head and chest, anyway) from the quadriga. I like to pop in to visit them a couple times a year.
The BM also has a few bits and bobs from the Temple of Diana at Epheseus (some bits with scorch marks, and some of the bits where Alex tried to have it rebuilt, as it was torched on the day he was born. Fellow who did it said that he did so only to be remembered in the history books, so they made it illegal to say his name out loud. Got the last laugh, I suppose, as a herostradian action is to destroy something to gain infamy from the act. Also amusing is that coincidentally next to one of the displayed column capitals is a fire extinguisher.)
I got curious, and googled “herostradian”- all I found was your post! :smack:
Here’s what I now know.
Herostratus- what you said.
In fairness, the temple of Artemis (or Diana, as Ms Boods prefers) was rebuilt, even more wondrous than before. It then lasted for another 600 years, until some Goths showed up in the third century AD.
I’ve been there! And… yeah, it looks like crap now.
Why I don’t invite Goths to my house parties.
The correct spelling is Herostratian.
I always thought the “burn it to be remembered” story was about the library at Alexandria. Ignorance fought.
There was some discussion I recall that the “hanging gardens” referred to a garden build on one of those ziggurats, multi-levels going up all planted with foliage; because one of the queens was homesick for the hills living on the flat plain and the King wanted to keep her happy.
There have been papers and even books about many of these in recent years.
as for the Colossus of Rhodes being beyond the casting ability of its time – it wasn’t. It’s not as if they tried to cast it all in one step. It was cast in pieces, which were affixed to a set of interior support pillars by stanchions. It was a very thin hollow skin of bronze supported by a tall (but still achievable) set of columns.
It did not bestride the mouth of the harbor, one leg on each side of the harbor jetty – that WOULD have been beyond the engineering capability of its time*. The statue is described as one of Apollo, standing, with a rayed crown. It would be hard to believe that Bartholdi didn’t have it explicitly in mind when he designed the Statue of Liberty, which is very nearly the same height, consists of an internal “skeleton” supporting thin bronze elements, and has a rayed crown.
*Although the image is extremely compelling. The legend started in the Middle ages, I think, and you find it drawn that way in some old books and old maps. The statue was depicted thus in the 1960s Italian epic The Colossus of Rhodes. It’s also evoked by Talos in the Ray Harryhausen film Jason and the Argonauts. The statue of the Tian of Braavos in Game of Thrones echoes it, as well.
We also don’t know exactly how big if was. Pliny’s claim that the statue’s thumb was too big for most men to wrap their arms around may have been hyperbole.
Another thing about the Colossus: It might not have been all that structurally sound. It didn’t last long. It was apparently finished in 280 BC, and then toppled in an earthquake in 226 BC. Just over 50 years, then. So… not exactly earthquake-proof. Possibly not all that well put together.
Although the remains, as said upthread, were apparently left in place, and attracting visitors, for 800 years.
(Bolding, mine)
Isn’t the Statue of Liberty clad in copper?
Ever notice that when you look up articles on these things, they almost invariably include illustrated woodcuts from the Middle Ages, as if those guys had any idea what they looked like.
Very good point. That contrasts quite starkly with the Great Pyramid of Giza, which, despite being thousands of years old, is still in good shape (except for the outer casing stones) and very structurally sound. The air shafts in the King’s Chamber also provide good climate control, keeping that room at a comfortable temperature year round.
It’s a little hard to do more archaeology right now, but there is compelling evidence the hanging gardens were real, but in Nineveh, not Babylon.
There was a tradition of garden building by kings in the region, and one named Sennacherib described extensive waterworks diverting river flow 50 km, some of which can still be seen today. Also described is a water screw, made well before Archimedes, lifting the irrigation up:
“I set up the cylinders and screws of copper over cisterns…I raised the height of the surroundings of the palace, to be a Wonder for all Peoples… A high garden imitating the Amanus mountains I laid out next to it, with all kinds of aromatic plants, orchard fruit trees…”
The texts are located at various key points of the irrigation system. A relief carving depicts layered gardens and the waterways.
Nineveh, by the way, is located in the modern city of Mosul, Iraq.
Emma Lazarus certainly thought so: