The Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt)
The only surviving wonder of the original Seven, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the three pyramids on the Giza Plateau. It was built as the tomb for the Pharaoh Khufu (also known as Cheops) around 2580-2560 BCE during the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. The pyramid originally stood at 146.6 meters (481 feet) tall, though it has since lost some of its height due to the erosion of its outer casing.
The Great Pyramid was an engineering marvel of its time, with millions of limestone blocks weighing several tons each, assembled with remarkable precision. Unlike the other wonders, the Great Pyramid has endured centuries of destruction, though much of its external casing was stripped away in the medieval period. Still, it remains an iconic symbol of ancient Egyptian civilization and the only wonder that has stood the test of time.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Iraq)
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were said to have been built by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BCE for his wife, Amytis of Media, who longed for the green hills and valleys of her homeland. Descriptions of the gardens paint a picture of a lush, terraced structure that was irrigated by a sophisticated system. This garden was considered one of the most magnificent sights of the ancient world.
However, there is debate among historians about whether the Hanging Gardens actually existed or were merely a poetic creation. No definitive archaeological evidence has been found at the site of ancient Babylon to confirm their existence. Some theories suggest that the gardens were located in Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, rather than in Babylon itself. Still, the idea of the gardens has captured the imagination of generations. shutdown123