The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos of Alexandria, stands as a testament to the engineering prowess and grandeur of the ancient world. This magnificent structure, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, served as a vital navigational beacon, guiding ships into the bustling port of Alexandria. Its story is one of innovation, endurance, and ultimately, destruction, leaving behind a legacy that continues to fascinate us today.
A Marvel of Construction
Commissioned by Ptolemy I Soter around 305 BC, the lighthouse was completed during the reign of his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, around 280–247 BC. The construction took twelve years and cost 800 talents of silver. It was constructed on the island of Pharos, which was later connected to the mainland by a mole called the Heptastadion. The lighthouse was made of large blocks of limestone and granite, some of which weighed between 50 and 75 tonnes. The blocks were sourced from the Wadi Hammamat quarries, east of Alexandria.
The tower had a distinctive three-tiered structure: a square base, an octagonal middle section, and a cylindrical top. Arab descriptions consistently noted this design, with the overall height estimated to be between 103 and 118 metres (338 to 387 ft) on a 30 by 30 metre square base. This made it one of the tallest man-made structures in the world for many centuries. A broad spiral ramp led to the top.
Light and Legacy
At the apex of the lighthouse was a mirror that reflected sunlight during the day, and a furnace was lit at night to produce a guiding light. The light was said to have had a range of 47 km (29 miles). The lighthouse’s importance extended beyond navigation. The word “Pharos” became synonymous with “lighthouse” in many languages.
Some descriptions include statues of Greek gods and goddesses and a statue, possibly representing either Alexander the Great or Ptolemy I Soter, at the top. There are also reports of statues of Triton on each of the building’s four corners, and a statue of Poseidon or Zeus on top.
Destruction and Rediscovery
The lighthouse suffered damage from earthquakes. A significant earthquake in 956 AD caused structural collapse to the top 20 metres of the tower. The most destructive earthquake was in 1303 AD. The remaining ruins of the lighthouse were finally used in 1480 by the Mamlūk sultan Qāʾit Bāy to build a medieval fort on the site.
However, the story of the Pharos did not end there. In 1994, a team of French archaeologists, led by Jean-Yves Empereur, rediscovered remains of the lighthouse on the sea floor of Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour. They found huge blocks of granite, sphinxes, obelisks, and columns dating back to Ramses II, offering valuable insights into the lighthouse’s construction and history. The site is now considered an underwater archaeological park. The lighthouse remains a civic symbol of Alexandria, appearing on the flag and seal of the Governorate.
Today, the Lighthouse of Alexandria continues to inspire. Its influence can be seen in the design of minarets in early Egyptian Islamic mosques and even in modern structures like the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. The story of this ancient wonder serves as a reminder of human ingenuity and the lasting impact of architectural marvels.
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