World Wonders: The Mausoleum
14 Jun, 2010
An ancient monument and a clear choice for the list of the wonders of the world, the Mausoleum of Maussollus in Turkey comprises the tombs of Persian provincial ruler Maussollus and Artemisia II of Caria, his wife and sister.
Constructed between 353 and 350 BC at the erstwhile Halicarnassus, which is today's Bodrum in Turkey, the design of the structure was conceived by Greek architects Satyrus and Pythius. Standing high at 135 feet, the monument has all its walls embellished with sculptural reliefs by famed Greek sculptors Leochares, Bryaxis, Scopas of Paros and Timotheus.
History states the aesthetic beauty of the monument led to the proclamation that this was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Maussollus found place in history as the ruler who build a new capital, at Halicarnassus. He died in 353 BC, which led leaving Artemisia, his wife and sister, broken-hearted. She decided to build a monument for Maussollus. This later on became a world wonder. Artemisia died two years later. The unfinished Mausoleum now houses the urns containing their ashes.
According to geological records, the monument was built by Greek sculptors who were specially brought in by Artemisia. The tomb, built on a hill overlooking the capital city, has a stairway flanked by stone lions that lead to the top of the platform. Stone warriors mounted on horseback guard the tomb.
It has been pointed out by historians that the beauty of the Mausoleum was not only in the structure itself, but in the decorations and statues that adorned outside at different levels on the podium and the roofi statues of people, lions, horses, and other animals. The Mausoleum has inspired many a modern day structure across the world.
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