The Seven Wonders of Ancient World - Ancient History - See U in History

Summary

This video script explores the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, delving into their creation, significance, and eventual fates. It covers the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, built for Princess Amytis, and the colossal Statue of Zeus at Olympia, crafted by Phidias. The script also highlights the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the Colossus of Rhodes, offering fascinating details of their grandeur and destruction. The Pyramids of Giza, the only remaining wonder, are also explored, showcasing their enduring legacy. These ancient marvels continue to captivate the imagination, despite their tragic losses.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were constructed around 600 BC as a symbol of King Nebuchadnezzar II's love for his queen, Amytis of Media.
• 😀 The gardens featured multiple terraces supported by columns, filled with a variety of plants, fruits, and flowers, creating an engineering marvel.
• 😀 Despite historical accounts, the exact existence and location of the Hanging Gardens remain debated due to the lack of Babylonian documents and archaeological evidence.
• 😀 The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, sculpted by Phidias, was one of the ancient world's most iconic statues, made of ivory, gold, and ebony.
• 😀 The statue of Zeus was dismantled by Emperor Caligula, though it survived through history before eventually being destroyed after the rise of Christianity.
• 😀 The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the largest temples of the ancient world, was destroyed in 356 BC by an arsonist, with Alexander the Great later funding its reconstruction.
• 😀 The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, built in the 4th century BC, was an elaborate tomb for the ruler Mausolus, and it featured sculptures, a four-horse chariot, and a massive burial chamber.
• 😀 The Mausoleum was eventually destroyed by an earthquake, and its remains were used to strengthen the Bodrum Castle during the Crusades.
• 😀 Alexandria's Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders, stood 130 meters tall and served as a beacon for sailors until it was destroyed by earthquakes around 1480 AD.
• 😀 The Colossus of Rhodes, a 30-meter-high statue of Helios, was erected after Rhodes' victory against Macedonian invaders, but it collapsed due to an earthquake in 226 BC and was later dismantled in the 7th century.
• 😀 The Pyramids of Giza, built around 2500 BC, are the only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. They were constructed with free labor, not slaves, and are still one of the most visited tourist sites today.

Q & A

What motivated the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife, Princess Amytis of Medea, who missed the mountainous landscape and greenery of her homeland.

Why is the existence of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon still debated?

The existence of the Hanging Gardens is debated due to the lack of Babylonian documents that confirm their construction, as well as the absence of archeological evidence.

What was the significance of the statue of Zeus at Olympia?

The statue of Zeus at Olympia, crafted by Phidias, was a massive and magnificent representation of the Greek god Zeus, standing over 13 meters tall. It was one of the most famous statues of the ancient world.

What happened to the statue of Zeus during Emperor Caligula's reign?

Emperor Caligula ordered the dismantling of the statue of Zeus to bring it to Rome and replace its head with his own. However, Caligula was killed before this could be carried out, and the statue remained intact.

What was the fate of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus?

The Temple of Artemis was destroyed by fire in 356 BC, allegedly because Artemis was distracted by the birth of Alexander the Great. Despite being rebuilt, it was eventually closed and fell into decay due to Christian persecution in the 4th century AD.

Who is credited with the creation of the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?

Antipater of Sidon is credited with creating the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in which the Temple of Artemis was highlighted as a wonder of unparalleled magnificence.

How was the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus constructed?

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was constructed to house the tomb of King Mausolus. It was a grand monument built with white marble, adorned with sculptures, and featured a massive statue of a chariot at its top.

What caused the destruction of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus?

The Mausoleum collapsed after a major earthquake. Later, Crusaders used its stones to reinforce Bodrum Castle, where the ruins of the Mausoleum can still be seen today.

What was the purpose of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and how was it constructed?

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was built to guide sailors safely to the port of Alexandria. It was a massive structure, standing about 130 meters tall, made of white granite and marble, with a continuous flame that could be seen from 40 kilometers away.

What is the current status of the Colossus of Rhodes?

The Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of Helios, collapsed after an earthquake in 226 BC. Though the statue was dismantled by Arabs in the 7th century, plans exist to rebuild an even larger version of the statue in modern times.