Seven Wonders of the World - Lighthouse of Alexandria
by: Muthukumar.V
picture by unmuseum.org
This lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the useful of
the seven wonders of the world (for the sailors to return to the Great
Harbor), which is a small differentiates it, when compared with the
other wonders of the world. The mirror which was mounted on this lighthouse
could reflect the light more than 35 miles off-shore. Of the 6 ancient
destroyed wonders, this was the last to be destroyed around 1480 AD.
Location: On the ancient island of Pharos, now a promontory
on the harbor of the city of Alexandria in Egypt.
Description: This lighthouse was built around 280 BC and
was around 134 m in height. This was built in the city of Alexandria.
The light house had a good mirror which can reflect the sun light to
a very long distance. Mythical stories used to say that this mirror
was used to burn the enemy ships. The Macedonian conqueror, Alexander
during his successful reign, had tried establishing approximately 17
cities in the name of Alexandria. The only one survived long was the
one in Egypt. That too even this city was not completely built by Alexander.
The completion of the construction of this city was achieved by his
commander Ptolemy I Soter.
Ptolemy connected Alexandria to the Pharos island by a
bridge. It was realized that the sailing in this coastal region is very
dangerous. That is why he decided to build a lighthouse. This project
was initiated during Ptolemy's reign in 290 BC and completed after his
death by his son Ptolemy Philadelphus. Sostratus who lived in the same
time as Euclid, was the architect. This used to remain in the harbor
for centuries. This wonder of the world also depicted in the Roman coins
that time.
The writings of the Arab conquerors are very good source
of information about this lighthouse. The new rulers moved the capital
to the Cairo. So this place had lost its importance. Three earthquakes
stuck in various periods (around AD 956, AD 1303 and AD 1323 ) have
damaged the lighthouse significantly. The during AD 1480 the Egyptian
Mamelouk Sultan, has built a medieval fort at the same place. That was
the end to the story of the light house.
There are some more tales to the light house. Sostratus
after he completed the lighthouse wanted his name to be carved on the
light house. This was not allowed by Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Ptolemy
II wanted his name to be carved on the structure. But what Sostratus
did is he first carved his name underneath, put plasters on it and then
carved Ptolemy II's name. After some years, the plasters worn out and
his name has come out to be known to all. The design of the lighthouse
was unlike the modern slim lighthouse towers. This was built in 3 stages,
each built on top of the lower.
This lighthouse was so popular that the word Pharos came
into French, Spanish and Italian to mean lighthouse.
