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It would cast light over thirty-six miles around, a welcoming sight for any lost sailor. The sailor then knew he was coming in toward the bustling city of Alexandria. Alexandria was a large, ancient city. The island, Pharos, on which the lighthouse stood got its name from one mans mishearing and another's misunderstanding. Helen and her husband Menelaus were returning home from Troy when they were blown off course and had to land there. Menelaus found an old man and asked, What island is this?
The old man answered it was Pharaohs. Then Menelaus misheard and requisitioned, Pharos? and the old man nodded. From then on Pharos has meant lighthouse.
The lighthouse was over 460 feet tall. It was made up of three parts: the bottom, which was made of marble and square; the middle, which was also made of marble octagonal; and the top, which was circular and bronze. The lighthouse had many polished bronze mirrors which reflected the light. During the day the mirrors reflected the suns light to provide light. At night a great bonfire was lit in the bronze structure. Some say that the mirrors could be angled to set fire to enemy ships, but it is not known if it is true.
The type of fuel is unknown, but most people say that since there wasnt a large amount of wood nearby, they might have used dried animal dung. The lighthouse was built to honor Zeus, the king of gods. His statue adorns the top, cradling a lightning bolt. It was also built to warn sailors so they wouldnt crash into the shore or sandbars. It was paid for by So stratus of Cnidus, who was a wealthy courtier and diplomat. There is no information about architect.
The building of the lighthouse began under the reign of Ptolemy I, who lived from 305 BC to 282 BC. It was finished under the reign of Ptolemy II who lived from 284 BC to 246 BC. It took ten years to build, and was thought to cost 800 talents. A talent is worth about 26, 308 grams of silver, multiplied by 800 it would be about 21, 046, 668 grams of silver. The lighthouse stood for 1, 500 years before a series of earthquakes from 1300 to 1400 finally toppled it.
It must have had a striking effect on the people of Alexandria. It was an example of ancient technology. Today the island of Pharos is nothing more than an ordinary sand bar in the huge Mediterranean. Position of the Lighthouse of Alexandria Clayton, Peter a.
and Martin J. Price, The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, London: Routledge, 1988. World Book Encyclopedia 1998 World Book, Inc. , 525 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL 60661. Bibliography: Clayton, Peter a. and Martin J.
Price, The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, London: Routledge, 1988. World Book Encyclopedia 1998 World Book, Inc. , 525 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL 60661.
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