Difference between revisions of "Lighthouse of Alexandria" - New World Encyclopedia
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With a height variously estimated at between 383 to 440 feet, it was among the tallest man-made structures on Earth for many centuries, and was identified as one of the [[Seven Wonders of the World]] by classical writers. | With a height variously estimated at between 383 to 440 feet, it was among the tallest man-made structures on Earth for many centuries, and was identified as one of the [[Seven Wonders of the World]] by classical writers. | ||
| − | Alexandria was a thriving Greco-Roman city situated on Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Founded by Alexander the Great, it had a significant number of Greeks and Jews. Alexandria was renowned throughout the ancient world as an international center of culture and learning. Widely known for its lighthouse and | + | Alexandria was a thriving Greco-Roman city situated on Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Founded by Alexander the Great, it had a significant number of Greeks and Jews. Alexandria was renowned throughout the ancient world as an international center of culture and learning. Widely known for its lighthouse and library—the largest of its time-Egypt's capital was transferred from Memphis, seat of the pharoahs, to Alexandria in 320 B.C.E. |
== History == | == History == | ||
| − | Pharos was a small island just off the coast of Alexandria. It was linked to the mainland by a man-made connection named the [[Heptastadion]], which thus formed one side of the city's harbor. Since the Egyptian coast is very flat and lacking in the kind of landmark used at the time for [[navigation]], a marker of some sort at the mouth of the harbor was deemed necessary -a function the Pharos was initially designed to serve. Use of the building as a lighthouse, with a fire and reflective mirrors at the top, is thought to date to around the 1st Century | + | Pharos was a small island just off the coast of Alexandria. It was linked to the mainland by a man-made connection named the [[Heptastadion]], which thus formed one side of the city's harbor. Since the Egyptian coast is very flat and lacking in the kind of landmark used at the time for [[navigation]], a marker of some sort at the mouth of the harbor was deemed necessary -a function the Pharos was initially designed to serve. Use of the building as a lighthouse, with a fire and reflective mirrors at the top, is thought to date to around the 1st Century C.E., during the Roman period. Prior to that time the Pharos served solely as a navigational landmark. |
[[Image:Roman_coin_alexandria_lighthouse.gif|right|thumb|Reverse of a [[tetradrachm]] featuring the lighthouse from 189]] | [[Image:Roman_coin_alexandria_lighthouse.gif|right|thumb|Reverse of a [[tetradrachm]] featuring the lighthouse from 189]] | ||
=== Construction === | === Construction === | ||
| − | The building was designed by [[Sostratus of Cnidus]] ([[Greek language|Greek]]: ''Σώστρατος Κνίδιος'' - Sostratos of Knidos or the Cnidian) in the 3rd century | + | The building was designed by [[Sostratus of Cnidus]] ([[Greek language|Greek]]: ''Σώστρατος Κνίδιος'' - Sostratos of Knidos or the Cnidian) in the 3rd century B.C.E., after having been initiated by [[Satrap]] (governor) [[Ptolemy I of Egypt]], Egypt's first Hellenistic ruler and a general of [[Alexander the Great]]. After Alexander died unexpectedly at age 33, Ptolemy Soter (Saviour, named so by the inhabitants of Rhodes) made himself king in 305 B.C.E. and ordered the construction of the Pharos shortly thereafter. The building was finished during the reign of his son, [[Ptolemy Philadelphos]]. |
According to legend, Sostratus was forbidden by Ptolemy from putting his name on his work. But the architect left the following inscription on the base's walls nonetheless: | According to legend, Sostratus was forbidden by Ptolemy from putting his name on his work. But the architect left the following inscription on the base's walls nonetheless: | ||
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Constructed from large blocks of light-colored stone, the tower was made up of three stages: a lower square section with a central core, a middle octagonal section, and, at the top, a circular section. At its apex was positioned a [[mirror]] which reflected [[sunlight]] during the day; a [[fire]] was lit at night. Extant Roman coins struck by the Alexandrian mint show that a statue of a [[triton (mythology)|triton]] was positioned on each of the building's four corners. A statue of [[Poseidon]] stood atop the tower during the Roman period. | Constructed from large blocks of light-colored stone, the tower was made up of three stages: a lower square section with a central core, a middle octagonal section, and, at the top, a circular section. At its apex was positioned a [[mirror]] which reflected [[sunlight]] during the day; a [[fire]] was lit at night. Extant Roman coins struck by the Alexandrian mint show that a statue of a [[triton (mythology)|triton]] was positioned on each of the building's four corners. A statue of [[Poseidon]] stood atop the tower during the Roman period. | ||
| − | The Pharos' walls were strengthened in order to withstand the pounding of the waves through the use of molten lead to hold its masonry together<ref>[http://www.essential-architecture.com/MISC/WON-001.htm]</ref>, and possibly as a result, the building survived the longest of the Seven Wonders - with the sole exception of the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]]. It was still standing when the Muslim traveller [[Ibn Jubayr]] visited the city in | + | The Pharos' walls were strengthened in order to withstand the pounding of the waves through the use of molten lead to hold its masonry together<ref>[http://www.essential-architecture.com/MISC/WON-001.htm]</ref>, and possibly as a result, the building survived the longest of the Seven Wonders - with the sole exception of the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]]. It was still standing when the Muslim traveller [[Ibn Jubayr]] visited the city in 1183. He said of it that: "Description of it falls short, the eyes fail to comprehend it, and words are inadequate, so vast is the spectacle." It appears that in his time there was a [[mosque]] located on the top. |
| − | The tower was severely damaged by two [[earthquake]]s in | + | The tower was severely damaged by two [[earthquake]]s in 1303 and 1323, to the extent that the Arab traveller [[Ibn Battuta]] reported not being able to enter the ruin. Even the stubby remnant disappeared in 1480, when the then-Sultan of Egypt, [[Qaitbay]], built a medieval fort on the former location of the building, using some of the fallen stone. The remnants of the Pharos that were incorporated into the walls of Fort Qaitbey are clearly visible due to their excessive size in comparison to surrounding masonry. |
=== Recent archaeological research === | === Recent archaeological research === | ||
Revision as of 20:03, 6 May 2007
The Pharos of Alexandria was a tower built in the 3rd century B.C.E. (between 285 and 247 B.C.E.) on the island of Pharos in Alexandria, Egypt to serve as that port's landmark, and later, its lighthouse.
With a height variously estimated at between 383 to 440 feet, it was among the tallest man-made structures on Earth for many centuries, and was identified as one of the Seven Wonders of the World by classical writers.
Alexandria was a thriving Greco-Roman city situated on Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Founded by Alexander the Great, it had a significant number of Greeks and Jews. Alexandria was renowned throughout the ancient world as an international center of culture and learning. Widely known for its lighthouse and library—the largest of its time-Egypt's capital was transferred from Memphis, seat of the pharoahs, to Alexandria in 320 B.C.E.
History
Pharos was a small island just off the coast of Alexandria. It was linked to the mainland by a man-made connection named the Heptastadion, which thus formed one side of the city's harbor. Since the Egyptian coast is very flat and lacking in the kind of landmark used at the time for navigation, a marker of some sort at the mouth of the harbor was deemed necessary -a function the Pharos was initially designed to serve. Use of the building as a lighthouse, with a fire and reflective mirrors at the top, is thought to date to around the 1st Century C.E., during the Roman period. Prior to that time the Pharos served solely as a navigational landmark.
Construction
The building was designed by Sostratus of Cnidus (Greek: Σώστρατος Κνίδιος - Sostratos of Knidos or the Cnidian) in the 3rd century B.C.E., after having been initiated by Satrap (governor) Ptolemy I of Egypt, Egypt's first Hellenistic ruler and a general of Alexander the Great. After Alexander died unexpectedly at age 33, Ptolemy Soter (Saviour, named so by the inhabitants of Rhodes) made himself king in 305 B.C.E. and ordered the construction of the Pharos shortly thereafter. The building was finished during the reign of his son, Ptolemy Philadelphos.
According to legend, Sostratus was forbidden by Ptolemy from putting his name on his work. But the architect left the following inscription on the base's walls nonetheless: Sostratus, the son of Dexiphanes, the Cnidian, dedicated (or erected) this to the Saviour Gods, on behalf of those who sail the seas (the original Greek inscription ΣΟΣΤΡΑΤΟΣ ΔΕΞΙΦΑΝΟΥ ΚΝΙΔΙΟΣ ΘΕΟΙΣ ΣΩΤΕΡΣΙΝ ΥΠΕΡ ΤΩΝ ΠΛΩΙΖΟΜΕΝΩΝ literally means: Sostratos of Dexiphanes [meaning: son of Dexiphanes] the Cnidian to Saviour Gods on behalf of the sea-faring. These words were hidden under a layer of plaster, on top of which was chiselled another inscription honouring Ptolemy the king as builder of the Pharos. After centuries the plaster wore away, revealing the name of Sostratus.
Other legends tell of the light from the Pharos being used to burn enemy ships before they could reach shore; this is unlikely due to the relatively poor quality of optics and reflective technology in the period during which the building existed. Only slightly less impressive—and probably more accurate—is the claim that the light from the lighthouse could be seen up to 35 miles from shore.
Constructed from large blocks of light-colored stone, the tower was made up of three stages: a lower square section with a central core, a middle octagonal section, and, at the top, a circular section. At its apex was positioned a mirror which reflected sunlight during the day; a fire was lit at night. Extant Roman coins struck by the Alexandrian mint show that a statue of a triton was positioned on each of the building's four corners. A statue of Poseidon stood atop the tower during the Roman period.
The Pharos' walls were strengthened in order to withstand the pounding of the waves through the use of molten lead to hold its masonry together[1], and possibly as a result, the building survived the longest of the Seven Wonders - with the sole exception of the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was still standing when the Muslim traveller Ibn Jubayr visited the city in 1183. He said of it that: "Description of it falls short, the eyes fail to comprehend it, and words are inadequate, so vast is the spectacle." It appears that in his time there was a mosque located on the top.
The tower was severely damaged by two earthquakes in 1303 and 1323, to the extent that the Arab traveller Ibn Battuta reported not being able to enter the ruin. Even the stubby remnant disappeared in 1480, when the then-Sultan of Egypt, Qaitbay, built a medieval fort on the former location of the building, using some of the fallen stone. The remnants of the Pharos that were incorporated into the walls of Fort Qaitbey are clearly visible due to their excessive size in comparison to surrounding masonry.
Recent archaeological research
Some remains of the lighthouse were found on the floor of Alexandria's Eastern Harbour by divers in 1994. More of the remains have subsequently been revealed by satellite imaging [2].
A NOVA program rerunning on February 27, 2007 chronicles the underwater discovery of the fabled Pharos lighthouse.[3]
You can go diving to look at the remains of the lighthouse if you are over the age 18.
Significance
Pharos became the etymological origin of the word 'lighthouse' in many Romance languages, such as French (phare), Italian (faro), Portuguese (farol), Spanish (faro), Romanian (far) and Greek (φάρος).
The design of minarets in many early Islamic mosques many centuries later followed a similar three-stage design to that of the Pharos, attesting to the building's broader architectural influence.[citation needed]
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Haag, Michael. Alexandria, American University in Cairo Press, 2004. ISBN 978-9774248344
- Haas, Christopher. Alexandria in Late Antiquity: Topography and Social Conflict, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996. ISBN 978-081853777
- Pollard, Justin. The Rise and Fall of Alexandria: Birthplace of the Modern Mind, Viking Adult, 2006. ISBN 978-0670037971
- Vrettos, Theodore. Alexandria: City of the Western Mind, Free Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0743205696
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