Ancient Wonders of the World

Some may not still be there but the location still have attractions and rich cultures

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello listeners, I cannot thank you enough for tuning in.
It's time for another episode of the World Traveler podcast.
We're going on an adventure to day. We're going to
visit the ancient wonders of the world you can too.
First stop Egypt to see the Great Pyramid of Giza.

(00:25):
The Great Pyramid, originally four hundred and eighty one feet tall,
was the tallest man made structure in the world for
over thirty eight hundred years. It was constructed as a
tomb for the pharaoh Cufu Jeering, the fourth dynasty of
the Old Kingdom of Egypt, around twenty five eighty and

(00:49):
twenty five sixty b c. The pyramid was constructed using
an estimated two point three million limestone blocks, each weighing
several tons. Despite centuries of study, some aspects of its
construction methods, including how the massive stones were transported, remain

(01:13):
a mystery. The pyramid was originally covered in smooth, white
turre limestone, giving it a gleaming surface that could be
seen from miles away. To day, most of this casing
is missing, leaving only the underlying rough limestone blocks exposed.

(01:35):
Visitors can access the Great Pyramid through the Giza Plateau.
While the interior of the pyramid is accessible, it can
be a tight, claustrophobic experience. The most famous entrance leads
to the Grand Gallery, a tall passage that ascends to
the burial chamber. The Sphinx, a massive lie limestone statue

(02:01):
of a lion with the face of a pharaoh believed
to be Cofrey, is nearby and can be visited as
part of the complex. You can also experience camel and
horse rides around the pyramids, as well as the Sound
and Light show in the evenings, which brings the history
of pyramids to life with projections and music. The Great

(02:26):
Pyramid is the only surviving Wonder of the original seven
Wonders of the Ancient World. It is emblematic of ancient
Egyptian achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture. It was initially
seen as a symbol of power and divine status for
the Pharaoh, and it still stands as a testament to

(02:49):
the cultural and religious significance of the ancient Egyptians. Next
stop on our list the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, located
in Iraq. It's believed to have been built around six
hundred b c. By King Nebekonezzer the second. The Hanging

(03:11):
Gardens are said to have been an extraordinary bead of engineering.
The gardens were reportedly built to please Nebuchonezzer's wife, who
longed for the green hills and valleys of her homeland.
The gardens were said to be a series of terraced
levels of lush greenery and exotic plants, irrigated by a

(03:34):
sophisticated system of pumps drawing water from the Euphrates River.
The exact location and existence of the gardens remain uncertain,
as no archeological evidence has been found at Babylon itself.
Travel to modern day Iraq is often difficult due to

(03:56):
security concerns. However, some historians and archaeologists are hopeful that
further digs will uncover evidence of the gardens, possibly elsewhere
in the region. In the meantime, visitors can explore other
parts of the ancient Babylonian city, including the reconstructed Ishtar

(04:17):
Gate and the ruins of the Zegurat. The Hanging Gardens
have been a symbol of human ingenuity and expression of
the power and reach of ancient Babylon. Their mysterious existence
and beauty have inspired many legends and stories. Next stop

(04:39):
the Statue of Zeus at Olympia in Greece. The Statue
of Zeus was created by the renowned sculptor Phidias around
four thirty five BC at the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, Greece.
It was made of ivory and gold plated bronze. It
depicted the god Zeus seated on a throne with his

(05:03):
right hand holding a statue of Nike. The statue was
about forty feet tall and was considered one of the
most imposing and exquisite representations of Zeus, with intricate details
on the robe and throne adorned with depictions of mythological scenes.

(05:25):
The site of the Temple of Zeus is now part
of the Archaeological Site of Olympia, where visitors can see
the foundations of the temple and the ruins of other
important structures used for the Olympic Games. While the statue
itself no longer exists, a model of it can be
seen in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. The statue was

(05:48):
a symbol of divine authority and the importance of the
Olympic Games, which were dedicated to Zeus. It stood as
a demonstration of Greek craftsmanship and the relationship between religion
and sport in ancient Greece. After you've enjoyed those two,

(06:08):
you might as well go to Turkey and see the
Temple of Artemis. Built around five hundred and fifty b C,
the Temple of Artemis was one of the largest and
most grandiose temples in the ancient world. It was dedicated
to the goddess Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, wilderness,

(06:28):
and fertility. The temple was reconstructed multiple times after being
destroyed by fire in three hundred and fifty six b SE,
set by a man named hero Stratus who wanted to
immortalize his name, and later by the Goths in two
hundred and sixty two CE. It stood about four hundred

(06:50):
and twenty seven feet long and two hundred and twenty
feet wide, and it was adorned with sculptures. Today, the
ruins of the Temple of Ours are located near the
modern town of Selkook in Turkey. While only a few
columns remain, visitors can explore the archaeological site and visit

(07:11):
the nearby Museum of Ephesus, which houses many of the
relics from the temple. The site is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, and the nearby town of Selkok offers further
opportunities to explore ancient history, including the ruins of the
ancient city of Ephesus. The temple was not only an

(07:34):
archaeological masterpiece, but also a significant religious and cultural center
for the ancient Greeks. It was regarded as one of
the Seven Wonders due to its monumental size and artistic grandeur.
Next on our list the Mausoleum of Halikarnassis. Built around

(07:55):
three hundred and fifty b C. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassis
was a monumental tomb constructed for Masilus, the ruler of Carria,
and his wife Artemisia. The structure was designed by Greek
architects and adorned with sculptures by famous artists of the time.

(08:15):
It stood approximately one hundred and thirty five feet tall.
The mausoleum was an architectural marvel that combined elements of Greek, Egyptian,
and Lycian design, making it one of the most unique
buildings of its time. The ruins of the masoleum can
be found in modern day Bodrum. While much of the

(08:37):
structure has been destroyed over time, the site offers a
glimpse into the grandeur of this ancient tomb. The British
Museum houses many of the sculptures and artifacts taken from
the mausoleum, including freezes and statues, which visitors can see
in London. The mausoleum was considered an extraordinary feat of

(09:00):
architecture and art. The term mausoleum has since come to
represent any grand monumental tomb. Next on our lists, back
to Greece for the Colossus of Rhodes, which was erected
between two hundred and ninety two and two eighty b c.
The Colossus of Rhodes was a bronze statue of the

(09:22):
sun god Helios, which stood at the entrance to the
Harbor of Roads. The statue was approximately one hundred and
eight feet tall, making it one of the tallest statues
of the ancient world. The statue was built to celebrate
roads victory over Cyprus, and it symbolized both the city's

(09:43):
power and the god Helios, who was believed to be
the protector of Roads. Today, the statue no longer exists,
having fallen during the earthquake of two hundred and twenty
six b C. However, visitors to the Island of Roads
can explo the ancient city's ruins, including the harbor and fortifications,

(10:05):
as well as museums with artifacts from the period. The
colossus was a symbol of rhodes power and engineering prowess,
representing one of the greatest achievements in monumental sculpture. Folks, Unfortunately,
that's all the time that we've got for today's episode
of The World Traveler Podcasts. I hope you enjoyed this episode,

(10:27):
and thank you so much for listening. Until next time,