Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World | Ancient Mysteries (S3) | Full Documentary | History

HISTORY・2 minutes read

Early humans were awed by nature, believed it to be the work of gods, and eventually built cities where art and architecture flourished. Great civilizations rose and fell, creating monumental constructions like the Seven Wonders of the World, showcasing Greco-Asian achievements influenced by Alexander the Great's era.

Insights

  • The Seven Wonders of the World, originating in the third century BCE, highlighted the most remarkable achievements of the Greco-Asian world, emphasizing size, artistry, and engineering feats.
  • Recent archaeological findings challenge traditional beliefs about the construction of the Great Pyramid at Giza, suggesting a smaller labor force, questioning the timeline of evidence, and aiming to uncover the mysteries surrounding its creation and purpose.

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Recent questions

  • What are the Seven Wonders of the World?

    The Seven Wonders of the World were a Greek compilation showcasing the greatest achievements of the Greco-Asian world, created during the third century BCE.

  • How was the Great Pyramid at Giza constructed?

    The construction of the Great Pyramid at Giza remains a mystery, with theories ranging from slave labor to skilled workers motivated by love.

  • Who created the statue of Zeus in Olympia?

    The colossal statue of Zeus in Olympia was created by the renowned sculptor Phidias, who was believed to have divine inspiration in its creation.

  • What led to the destruction of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus?

    The destruction of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was attributed to nature, as lightning from a thunderstorm set fire to the temple.

  • Why was the Tomb of Mausolus in Halicarnassus dismantled?

    The Knights Hospitalar dismantled the Tomb of Mausolus in Halicarnassus to use its materials for their fortress, the Castle of Saint Peter.

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Summary

00:00

Seven Wonders: Ancient Civilizations and Mysteries

  • Humans in early times were nomadic, awed by nature's wonders, and believed them to be the work of gods.
  • They eventually settled, built communities, and created cities where art and architecture flourished.
  • Great civilizations rose and fell, leaving behind monumental constructions on five continents.
  • The Seven Wonders of the World were a Greek compilation, showcasing the greatest achievements of the Greco-Asian world.
  • The list of wonders was created during the third century BCE, influenced by Alexander the Great's era of building.
  • Philo of Byzantium likely compiled the first complete list of wonders, emphasizing size, artistry, and engineering feats.
  • The number seven was chosen for the list due to its mystical significance in various cultures.
  • The Great Pyramid at Giza, believed to be Khufu's tomb, is a monumental architectural and engineering marvel.
  • The pyramid's construction remains a mystery, with theories ranging from slave labor to skilled workers motivated by love.
  • Recent archaeological findings challenge traditional beliefs about the pyramid's construction, suggesting a smaller labor force and questioning the timeline of evidence.

20:11

Ancient Mysteries: Pharaohs, Gods, and Temples

  • A tiny statue of Pharaoh Khufu, only 4 inches high, was discovered in southern Egypt, far from the Great Pyramid.
  • Research within the Great Pyramid aims to answer why no royal burial evidence was found and if Khufu truly built it.
  • The design and dimensions of the Great Pyramid may hold answers to ancient human mysteries.
  • The Olympic Games, originating in Olympia, Greece over 2,700 years ago, were dedicated to Zeus.
  • The temple of Zeus in Olympia was a significant structure, housing a colossal statue of Zeus created by Phidias.
  • Phidias, a renowned sculptor, was believed to have divine inspiration in creating the statue of Zeus.
  • Phidias' workshop, discovered in 1958, provided insights into the creation of the statue of Zeus.
  • Phidias' attention to detail in constructing the statue of Zeus was meticulous, matching the temple's dimensions.
  • Legends surrounding the statue of Zeus include supernatural powers and a curse on those who tried to possess it.
  • The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, funded by King Croesus, was a renowned site with a mysterious history, possibly involving a female fertility cult and human sacrifices.

41:57

Ancient Wonders: Temples, Tombs, and Colossus

  • Nature, not man, was blamed for the destruction of the shrine, as lightning from a thunderstorm set fire to the temple.
  • The worshippers of Artemis believed the goddess failed to protect her temple because she was presiding over Alexander the Great's birth.
  • The followers of Artemis rebuilt the temple to the same specifications after it burned down, becoming one of the Seven Great Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • The Tomb of Mausolus in Halicarnassus was built by Mausolus and Artemisia, a brother-sister couple, to preserve their immortality.
  • Mausolus aimed to create a utopian society but faced dissent due to extreme taxation and forced acculturation.
  • The tomb was an extravagant mix of architectural styles and cultural influences, adorned with over 250 statues.
  • Artemisia drank a mixture of Mausolus' ashes after his death, and massive animal sacrifices took place at his funeral.
  • The tomb stood for over 1,000 years before natural weathering and an earthquake led to its eventual demise.
  • The Knights Hospitalar dismantled the tomb to use its materials for their fortress, the Castle of Saint Peter.
  • The Colossus of Rhodes, dedicated to the sun god Helios, was a massive bronze statue nearly as tall as the Statue of Liberty, straddling the harbor entrance.

01:05:05

Ancient Wonders: Colossus, Gardens, Lighthouse, Technology

  • The Colossus of Rhodes, a statue standing for 56 years, was destroyed by an earthquake, leading to its fall and subsequent abandonment by the people of Rhodes.
  • Despite its ruin, the Colossus continued to attract visitors who marveled at its immense size and the vast caverns visible within its broken limbs.
  • The statue remained untouched for 900 years until the Arab invasion of Rhodes in 654, where the bronze was sold and transported away by nearly 1,000 camels and numerous ships.
  • Babylon, once considered the most magnificent city in the world, featured the Hanging Gardens, built by King Nebuchadnezzar to please his homesick wife, with lush trees, waterfalls, and fragrant pomegranate trees.
  • The Hanging Gardens were described as a paradise with lofty trees, refreshing streams, and meticulously arranged terraces, eventually succumbing to nature and the encroaching desert sands.
  • German archaeologist Robert Koldewey discovered evidence supporting the existence of the Hanging Gardens, including stone arches and a shaft possibly used for water transport.
  • The Archimedes' screw, a new technology at the time, was used to transport water to the gardens, revolutionizing agriculture worldwide.
  • The Pharos Lighthouse in Alexandria, a powerful ancient light, stood as a beacon for ships, constructed of white marble and towering over 30 stories high.
  • The lighthouse's light source remains a mystery, with speculations ranging from animal dung to polished bronze mirrors, and its beam was said to be visible up to 30 miles out at sea before being extinguished by earthquakes in the 14th century.
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