Research Paper On The Four Ancient Wonders Of The World

Research Paper Research 4 Ancient Wonders Of The World Include The F

The assignment involves creating a comprehensive, organized research paper on four of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Each paper should address the following questions for each wonder: What is it? Who commissioned or created it? How was it built? Where was it located? When was it constructed? Why was it considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? What happened to it? The paper must be approximately four pages, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, and using a font size no larger than 12 points. It should follow MLA style guidelines and include at least two book sources alongside unlimited internet resources, potentially including less conventional sources such as children’s books, journals, magazines, videos, and websites. Proper citation of all sources is essential. The assignment specifies that four separate papers should be written, each focusing on specific sets of Wonders: the first including the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus, the Temple of Artemis, and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus; the second on the Temple of Artemis, Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, and Pharos of Alexandria; the third on the Hanging Gardens, Statue of Zeus, Colossus of Rhodes, and Pharos; and the fourth on the Hanging Gardens, Temple of Artemis, Colossus, and Pharos. Each paper must also analyze four paintings by listing and describing seven visual elements and seven principles of design without research—simply observing and explaining the visual content.

Paper For Above instruction

Ancient Wonders of the World: An In-depth Investigation

The seven wonders of the ancient world have fascinated historians, architects, and archaeologists for centuries, representing human ingenuity, artistic achievement, and cultural significance. This paper explores four of these wonders: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Each section provides detailed insights into their history, construction, purpose, and ultimate fate, offering a comprehensive understanding of their importance in antiquity.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are legendary among the seven wonders, often depicted as an extraordinary feat of hydraulic engineering and landscaping. According to ancient texts, they were an artificial mountain of terraced gardens built in the city of Babylon, located near modern-day Iraq. Although their existence is debated, they are attributed to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II, who commissioned them around 600 BCE as a gift for his wife, Amytis, who longed for the lush green hills of her homeland.

Construction likely involved complex irrigation systems that transported water from the Euphrates River to nourish the lush plants. The gardens were believed to be a series of tiered terraces, created using mud bricks and supported by aqueducts and hydraulic mechanisms. Due to lack of physical evidence, their precise location remains uncertain, yet they symbolize human achievement in engineering and aesthetics. The gardens were considered one of the wonders due to their grandeur, technological innovation, and the cultural importance of nature in Mesopotamian society.

Historical records, including writings by Greek historians such as Strabo and Philo of Byzantium, describe the gardens, but no definitive archaeological remains have been uncovered. Over time, it is believed that natural causes, invasions, or neglect led to their disappearance. The gardens continue to symbolize the human desire to harmonize nature and architecture, inspiring countless stories and artistic representations.

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

The Statue of Zeus was a monumental sculpture created by the renowned Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BCE in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Greece. It depicted the king of the gods seated on a majestic throne, adorned with gold and ivory, exemplifying artistic mastery and religious devotion. Commissioned by the Greek city-state of Olympia, the statue celebrated Zeus’s divine authority and was an awe-inspiring icon for worshippers and visitors.

Constructed using a wooden framework, the statue was covered with ivory for the flesh and gold for ornamentation, making it gleam under the temple’s roof. Phidias employed advanced sculpting techniques to capture the divine majesty and serenity of Zeus, with intricate details emphasizing muscles, drapery, and divine attributes. The statue stood approximately 12 meters tall, towering over spectators and creating a powerful visual impact. It was considered one of the wonders because of its scale, craftsmanship, and religious significance.

The statue was eventually destroyed—possibly during the 5th or 6th century CE—due to religious shifts, natural disasters, or deliberate vandalism. Today, only historical descriptions survive, but the statue remains a symbol of Greek artistic achievement and religious devotion.

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The Temple of Artemis was a grand institution dedicated to the goddess Artemis, located in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey). Built around 550 BCE, it was commissioned by Croesus, the Lydian king, and later rebuilt after destruction by fire and flood. The temple represented the cultural and religious importance of Artemis in Greek society and was renowned for its magnificent architecture and sculptures.

The structure was composed primarily of marble and stood on a platform with multiple columns, forming a rectangular layout. Its design showcased the classical Ionic style, with elaborate sculptures and friezes depicting mythological scenes. The temple was one of the largest temples of the ancient world, measuring about 115 meters long and 55 meters wide, with over 120 Ionic columns supporting a richly decorated roof. Its luxurious decoration and grand scale justified its status as a wonder of the world.

It was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history, with the final destruction occurring during pagan reforms in late antiquity. Today, only foundations and archaeological remnants remain, but its legacy endures as a symbol of ancient religious architecture and craftsmanship.

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was an elaborate tomb built for Mausolus, a satrap of the Persian Empire, and his wife Artemisia around 350 BCE in modern-day Bodrum, Turkey. Commissioned by Artemisia after Mausolus died, the mausoleum was designed as an extraordinary example of Greek and Persian architectural fusion, combining sculptural decoration with a monumental structure.

Constructed using white marble, the mausoleum stood approximately 45 meters tall, featuring a stepped podium topped with a pyramid-shaped roof, adorned with sculptural friezes, statues, and reliefs depicting mythological battles and narratives. The structure employed Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian elements, exemplifying architectural sophistication and artistic excellence. It was considered one of the Seven Wonders due to its grandeur, detailed sculptures, and symbolic significance for honoring rulers and the dead.

Over centuries, the mausoleum was damaged by earthquakes, looters, and natural deterioration. Much of its sculpture has been lost or relocated, but its influence persisted, inspiring Later architectural monuments. Today, archaeological excavations reveal its grandeur, cementing its place among the world’s wonders.

Conclusion

The four wonders discussed exemplify human ingenuity, cultural priorities, religious devotion, and artistic expression in the ancient world. Their construction involved complex engineering, wealthy patronage, and artistic mastery. Although many have been destroyed by time and natural forces, their legacy lives on through historical records and archaeological remains, emphasizing their significance in world heritage. Exploring these monuments enriches our understanding of ancient civilizations and their enduring quest for wonder and beauty.

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