Notes on the Seven Wonders of the World

In ancient times the following were considered as the most wonderful creations of man. Except the pyramids of Egypt, all others are extinct.

1. Pyramids-The pyramids of Khufu or Cheops which is 451 feet high and whose base covers more than 13 acres of land was built about the 30th century B.C. There are two more pyramids of a lesser height.

2. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon-The Gardens grown above the masonry supported by arches of 75 feet to 300 feet high were built by Nebuchadnezzar to please his wife. They were watered by a reservoir at the top filled with water from the Euphrates.

3. The Temple of Artemis-The temple built for goddess Artemis or Diana occupied about 80,000 sq. feet of ground. It was destroyed by the Goths in 262 A.D.

4. Statue of Zeous-Made of ivory by the famous Greek sculptor, Phildias. It appears on some old coins.

5. The Colossus of Rohdes-The Colossus of bronze made by Charles of Lindus to Helios, the sun god, was completed in 260 B.C.

6. The Tomb of Mausolus-The world ‘mausoleum’ has originated from this. It was built by the widowed Queen Artemisia of king Mausolus in the fourth century B.C. and stood at Halicarnassus 140 ft. high with a base of 111 ft.

7. The Pharos of Alexandria-It was a light house built at Alexandria in the third century B.C. by sostrotus of cnidus. It stood 500 feet high.

Other Wonders-The Great Wall of China, Stonehedge (Remains of Ancient Druid Temple), Taj Mahal, Agra (India), The Catacombs of Alexandria. Angkor Vat, Cambodia¹ in Indo-China a ruined temple city- Leaning Tower, Pisa (Italy).

Seven New Wonders of the World: As per list prepared by New Open World Corporation (2007) on the basis of voting.

1. The Taj Mahal (India); 2. The Great Wall of China (China); 3. The Colosseum (Rome); 4. Pink ruins of Peta (Jorden); 5. Statue of Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro); 6. Incan ruins of Machu Picchu (Peru); 7. The Mayan city of Chichen Itza (Mexico)