Chapter 31 alexandria lighthouse

The Lighthouse of Alexandria is definitely different from the other six wonders, because it does not have any religious overtones, it is purely built for the people's real life. The lights of the Lighthouse of Alexandria illuminate the entire Port of Alexandria at night, protecting the sea. The ship, plus, it was the tallest building in the world at the time.It is also the last one to disappear among the six wonders. Shortly after the death of Alexander the Great, one of his subordinates, Potneymy Soter, ruled Egypt and established his capital in Alexandria. Because the sea lanes near Alexandria Port were very dangerous, Potneymy Soter He ordered the construction of the Alexandria Lighthouse by the architect Sostas and the Alexandria Library, which was completed in 290 BC.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria is made of white marble and is divided into three layers: the lowest layer is a square column with a height of 55.9 meters (183.4 feet), the second layer is an octagonal column with a height of 18.30 meters (60.0 feet), and the highest layer is a square column with a height of 55.9 meters (183.4 feet). It is a cylinder with a height of 7.30 meters (24.0 feet), and there is a statue of Poseidon on the roof. The entire lighthouse is 117 meters (384 feet), which is equivalent to a modern 40-story building!Inside the lighthouse is a spiral staircase through which the fuel is transported to the top of the tower. In a room on the top of the tower, the workers rely on the light burning oil, and then use the mirror at the back to collect the light and then reflect it out. This is how the fire shines on the sea at night. During the day, it relies on reflected sunlight. It is said that the light can shine as far as the seaway 56 kilometers away, and has the function of defense and reconnaissance of the enemy.

Later, the new ruler moved the capital to Cairo, and the lighthouse began to fall into disrepair. Three major earthquakes in 956, 1303 and 1323 AD almost destroyed the entire lighthouse.In 1480 AD, the marble blocks of the ruins were repurposed to build a blockhouse, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria followed in the footsteps of the other five ruins that had been destroyed, becoming the last wonder to disappear except for the existing pyramids. In recent years, scientists have carried out a lot of excavation work in Alexandria Port, which has enabled humans to have a deeper understanding of the Alexandria Lighthouse.