The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Pharos Lighthouse in Alexandria

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The Lighthouse is located in Egypt on the island of Pharaos (which gave the french word «phare ») in front of the city of Alexandria. During the centuries, this island was connected with the continent by the alluviums of the Nile, on which we built a road and a bridge. The lighthouse, built on the island, was begun under Ptolemy II Philadelphus and ended around 280 BC by Sostratus of Cnidus.

The lighthouse counted three floors: the first one was squared, the second was octagonal and the third cylindrical. The white marble whole measured approximately 135 m (440 feet) height from where we could see ships located 100 miles far away. Angles were decorated with bronze tritons which was used either to warn of the approach of the enemy by terrifying sounds, but also to carry mirrors which, durung the night, reflected the light of a fire. In the daytime, the smoke indicated to the boats the entrance of the port.

Its important height and its exemplary robustness made the lighthouse of Alexandria unique. Indeed it was exposed to a strong wind coming from the sea, that is why it should be inevitably resistant enought. This edifice is the symbol of the technical exploit shown by the Egyptians. Furthermore it was one of the first lighthouses.

Much of what we know about the structure of the lighthouse comes from a German scholar named Hermann Thiersch, who authored a book on the topic that remains one of the best reference works on Pharos Lighthouse to this day. There was no real lack of representations of the Lighthouse for Hermann Thiersch to use in his studies of the structure, for it was depicted on coins, mosaics and small models of it were also available. While all of these agree as to the building's basic design, none provide much detail. On the other hand, there is a surprising lack of descriptions by ancient writers and in fact most come from Arab travelers. Many of these, however, combine precise details mixed with wild fantasies. While they provide some good information on the lower levels of the tower, they provide little valuable information about the upper levels and almost nothing concerning the light source. In fact, by the medieval period the upper section had already been destroyed.

Pharos Lighthouse is consistently depicted and recorded as being a monumental edifice with three tiers, consisting of a lower quadrangular one, surmounted by an octagonal layer and topped by a cylindrical section. The approach to its entrance was by way of a long ramp with vaulted arcades. Within, an apparently large spiral ramp led to some fifty service rooms and also allowed pack animals to bring firewood up to the third tier to feed the fire that acted as the light source. According to the Moorish travelers, the building was 300 cubits high. Because the cubit measurement varied from place to place, this could mean that the Pharos stood anywhere from 450 to 600 feet in height, although the lower figure is more likely. Some modern interpretations of these measurements provide that the lowest square, measured about 55.9 m (183.4 ft) high with a cylindrical core; the middle octagonal with a side length of 18.30 m (60.0 ft) and a height of 27.45 m (90.1 ft); and the third circular 7.30 m (24.0 ft) high. The total height of the building including the foundation base was about 117 m (384 ft), equivalent to a 40-story modern building.

So far, some 2250 blocks have been plotted and archaeologists believe there are at least 500 more to be registered. Though many issues surrounding Pharos Lighthouse remain mysteries, perhaps someday we will have a much more complete understanding of this Seventh Wonder of the ancient world.