In chapter 37 of Zenobia
– Birth of a Legend, visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the
Pharos of Alexandria.
Read excerpt of the experience:
“This
looks to be as tall as the great pyramid,” Salim proclaimed.
“It
is,” agreed Zelina.
“Race
you to the top!” Zenobia challenged Salim.
…Zenobia
sprinted up the stairs two at a time Salim close behind…At two hundred steps
she was gasping for air, but so was her pursuer. Her legs were protesting, and
Salim started to pass her, but she lunged ahead for another fifty steps.
Suddenly he grabbed her ankle, and she toppled forward, landing lightly on the
steep steps. “Cheater!” She yelled as he passed her.
Eventually
they reached the level of the great mirror. Salim was already exploring, and he
was fascinated by the mechanics of the system. The mirror itself nested in a
frame which sat on a series of wheels on a wooden platform base. Three slaves
pushed on protruding poles to turn it constantly. A central vertical shaft that
penetrated the frame appeared to hold the mirror in position as it rotated. A
beam of light from above somehow shone down on the mirror and was reflected out
through the large windows which ringed the entire level.
“What is the mirror made of?” Zenobia asked.
“A
special metal with a silver coating that is polished when needed.”
Zenobia
had been studying the mirrors frame and she remarked, “It looks like this is
designed to be tipped.”
“Correct,”
the attendant acknowledged. “The design allows us to aim a beam of light at
distant objects.”
“I
have heard that the mirror can set an enemy ship at sea on fire,” stated Salim.
“How is that done?”
“That
is true, but the details of how are a secret we are not allowed to reveal. As
you are aware, sunlight can be very hot. Now imagine that concentrated so it is
ten or twenty times stronger. It can set wood on fire.” Salim looked at Zenobia
and he could see her mind analyzing the possibilities.
The
Pharos at Alexandria was a lighthouse at the port of the Egyptian city named for Alexander
the Great.
“The lighthouse was the only ancient wonder that had a practical
use, serving as a beacon for ships in the dangerous waters off the Egyptian port city of Alexandria, now called El
Iskandarîya.
Constructed on the small island of Pharos between 285 and 247
B.C., the building was the world's tallest for many centuries. Its estimated
height was 384 feet (117 meters)—equivalent to a modern 40-story building—though
some people believe it was significantly taller.
The lighthouse was operated using fire at night and polished
bronze mirrors that reflected the sun during the day. It's said the light could
be seen for more than 35 miles (50 kilometers) out to sea.
The huge structure towered over the Mediterranean coast for more
than 1,500 years before being seriously damaged by earthquakes in A.D. 1303 and
1323.”
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/photogalleries/seven-wonders/#/new-old-7-wonders-lighthouse-alexandria-egypt_18309_600x450.jpg
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