William Blake, an English poet said,“What is now proved was once imagined.”
And the mind is where the imagination runs, flies, and swims to visualize and create things of the future. A mind is a terrible thing to waste has been the slogan of the United Negro College Fund since 1972. This truth is a natural and universal law that never changes and isn’t defined by time. Imagination and ingenuity are the stuff of great achievements today and since the beginning of time.
There are many examples of architectural feats and achievements throughout time and civilization. From the time of creation, people created tools and structures to improve their lives, honor kings, worship gods, and celebrate victories. Some of these engineering achievements are incredible creations of great minds, diligence, and willpower.
An example of some ancient achievements is the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The original Seven Wonders of the World were really the Seven Wonders of parts of the world, mainly Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and the Middle East. Only a certain part of the world was known by those who created the original wonders in the 2nd century AD or BCE.
The original list included: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Temple of Artemis.
Unfortunately, the list didn’t include any structures and achievements of ancient civilizations like Europe, Africa, Asia, and also the Americas. Nevertheless, the Seven Ancient Wonders listed loomed large as the most famous achievements for that selection period.
The Colossus of Rhodes was a victory statue, a 105-110 feet monument to commemorate an invading army’s defeat.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria lighted the way for Egyptian coast voyagers.
The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was created for the Persian Empire governor, Maussollos, his wife, and his sister.
The Temple of Artemis was built to celebrate the Greek goddess of the hunt.
The Statue of Zeus, who was king of the gods at Mount Olympus, was the Greek god of sky and thunder. The forty feet statue showcased Zeus seated on a throne of gold, ivory, gems, and ebony in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia in Western Greece.
I remember studying these wonders in school.
Of the original Seven Wonders, only the Great Pyramid or the Pyramid of Giza, the world’s tallest man-made structure for 4,000 years, still remains. Time, Mother Nature: earthquakes, floods, other weather, and humankind led to the destruction and ruin of others.
Although the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was one of the Seven Wonders, no one can account for where it was built. Many believe it to be a marvel but a myth. Many historians base the reality of such a garden on real-life descriptions found in Greek and Roman literature.
We’ll check out the updated list for the Seven Wonders of the World in the next Little Known Fact post.
Be safe.