World Wonders : Pharos at Alexandria
14 Jun, 2010
An architectural wonder, the Pharos at Alexandria dates back to 290 BC. Historical evidence says that Ptolemy began work on the structure during this period but failed to complete work on it. The construction was taken up by Ptolemy's son Philodelphus and was completed by him. Built as a navigational aid into Alexandria's Harbour, the Pharos at Alexandria was impressive in its construction and scale. Alexander the Great, on his arrival in Egypt in 332 BC, the Pharos was a shrine and home to Proteus, a seagod. When Alexander and his troops took the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis and defeated the Persians, Egypt accepted him as their new Pharaoh.
It has also been recorded that the Pharos at Alexandria was designed by the Greek Sostratus of Cnidus. The structure turned out to be one of the longest-standing monuments of the list of wonders. The light atop the Pharos was visible in the harbour from 35 miles away. The light was from a mirror that reflected the light of the sun at day, and a fire was lit each evening, say legends.
Two earthquakes which wrecked havoc in 1303 and 1323, reduced the Pharos of Alexandria to rubble. In 1994 archeologists Harbour. The structure was a monument as high as 117 metres.
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