Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Colossus of Rhodes, Greece

Did You Know?

The Colossus of Rhodes was an inspiration for the Statue of Liberty

Color engraving by Ferdinand Knab/The Bridgeman Art Library/Getty Images

In contrast to the pyramids, the colossus was the shortest lived of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Completed in 282 B.C. after taking 12 years to build, the Colossus of Rhodes was felled by an earthquake that snapped the statue off at the knees a mere 56 years later.
The towering figure—made of stone and iron with an outer skin of bronze—represented the Greek sun god Helios, the island’s patron god. It looked out from Mandráki Harbor on the Mediterranean island of Ródos (Rhodes), although it is no longer believed to have straddled the harbor entrance as often shown in illustrations.
The Colossus stood about 110 feet (33 meters) tall, making it the tallest known statue of the ancient world. It was erected to celebrate the unification of the island’s three city-states, which successfully resisted a long siege by the Antigonids of Macedonia.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/photogalleries/seven-wonders/photo9.html#/new-old-7-wonders-colossus-rhodes-greece_18305_600x450.jpg

In my research I found this article about rebuilding The Colossus of Rhodes. I couldn’t find confirmation that the project has been started. It seems that financing may be holding it up.

Colossus of Rhodes to be rebuilt as giant light sculpture

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2008/nov/17/colossus-rhodes-greece-sculpture by Helena Smith in Athens The Guardian, Sunday 16 November 2008

For almost seven decades it stood over Rhodes before being destroyed by an earthquake in 226BC. In later years, its huge bronze and marble parts were carted off by Arab tradesmen. “Even lying on the ground, it is a marvel,” wrote Pliny the Elder. It was so big, he said, that “few people can get their arms around its thumb”. Although historians have spent years arguing about the wonder’s exact location, artists have always depicted it straddling Rhodes’ imposing harbour. Unlike the original statue, which took Chares 12 years to carve in situ, the new statue could be built in less than half that time if adequate funding is found, project organisers say. While the Statue of Liberty was built in France and then assembled in New York, the new Colossus is expected to be built by locals on the island.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient world: Are the “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” real or fake?

Artist's representation of Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Credit: iStockphotos.com)

See full article at history.com http://www.history.com/news/hanging-gardens-existed-but-not-in-babylon

Though there are multiple accounts of the gardens in both Greek and Roman literature, none of them are firsthand, and no mention of the gardens has been found in Babylonian cuneiform inscriptions. As a result, most modern scholars believe that the existence of the gardens was part of an inspired and widely believed but still fictional tale.

Mythology shrouds each of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but none has been more mysterious than the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Archaeologists have never unearthed evidence of the soaring gardens, and scholars have questioned its very existence. Now, however, an Oxford University researcher Stephanie Dalley says she knows why the Hanging Gardens of Babylon have proven so elusive because they were never built there in the first place.

Dalley, who has spent the better part of two decades researching the Hanging Gardens and studying ancient cuneiform texts, believes they were constructed 300 miles to the north of Babylon in Nineveh, the capital of the rival Assyrian empire.

Dalley explains that the reason for the confusion of the location of the gardens could be due to the Assyrian conquering of Babylon in 689 B.C. Following the takeover, Nineveh was referred to as the “New Babylon,” and Sennacherib even renamed the city gates after those of Babylon’s entrances. Dalley’s assertions could debunk thoughts that the elusive ancient wonder was an “historical mirage,” but they could also prove that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are mislabeled and should truly be the Hanging Gardens of Nineveh.

You can purchase a copy of Stephanie Dalley’s book “The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon” at:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Mystery-Hanging-Garden-Babylon/dp/0199662266

or

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mystery-of-the-hanging-garden-of-babylon-stephanie-dalley/1112707348?ean=9780199662265

Visit the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World- first stop Egypt: Pyramids and Lighthouse of Alexandria

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was located on a small island called Pharos near the city of Alexandria. Designed by the Greek architect Sostratos and completed around 270 B.C. during the reign of Ptolemy II, the lighthouse helped to guide Nile River ships in and out of the city’s busy harbor.

http://www.history.com/videos/the-lighthouse-at-alexandria#the-lighthouse-at-alexandria

In Chapter 37 of Zenobia – Birth of a Legend, Zenobia visits the lighthouse of Alexandria with her mother and Salim. Read below where you'll experience Zenobia’s budding romance with Salim as they climb the steps of the lighthouse.

“This seems 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 with 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 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.

“All is fair in love and war!” he yelled back. Her adrenaline kicks in and she tore up the stairs after him and grabbed onto his tunic with both hands and hung on with all her strength. He dragged her up for a few steps and then collapsed and they both burst out in gasping laughter.

She pulled herself alongside him until their faces were less than a cubic apart. “And which is this, Salim,” she asked with a pant, “love or war?"

Read more excerpts as Zenobia explores the lighthouse in chapter 37 :  http://geodepress.com/thinking-thursday-zenobia-visits-another-seven-wonders-of-the-ancient-world/

In the next couple of weeks we will be discussing the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World. Here's some previous post on the most popular one, The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest and only Ancient Wonder still standing today:

http://geodepress.com/the-great-pyramid-of-giza/ ;

http://geodepress.com/thinking-thursday-zenobia-birth-of-a-legend-my-favorite-scenes/ ;

http://geodepress.com/thinking-thursday-zenobias-visit-to-one-of-the-seven-wonders-of-the-ancient-world/

Weapons that changed everything in history

Unfortunately, war is a big part of Zenobia's life. Zenobia uses the ancient formations and weapons (seen below) to challenge Rome. Author Russ Wallace has Zenobia's choice of weapon as a bow and arrow but Zenobia is trained in all forms of weaponry. 

All through Zenobia- Birth of a Legend and Zenobia - Challenging a Legend, Zenobia is continually learning and training and with these skills Zenobia turns into a deadly warrior. 

Weapons that Changed Everything

To read full article go to: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2013/08/15/12-Weapons-That-Changed-Everything

The Greek Phalanx (750 BCE)

Technically the Phalanx is the formation.  The individual soldiers were armed with the “Sarissa,” a long heavy spear, and a shield, but a phalanx is most notable for being greater than the sum of its parts.  The Greek soldiers would stand in rigid formation, their shields interlocked to protect not just themselves, but perhaps most importantly the man to their left.  The phalanx conquered the Mediterranean by moving as a single unstoppable armored unit.  It was in many ways, the tank of its day, and the fact that we still use the word in modern speech is a testament to its effectiveness.

The Gladius (400BCE - 300AD)

Roman Legionary’s Sword – If the Greeks mastered uniformity of movement, the Romans mastered standardization of equipment.  The short bladed Gladius made up part of the arsenal of every Legionary, along with a shield short throwing spear and dagger.  By ensuring that every soldier had well-made equipment, usable in a variety of situations, the Romans created an empire that, at its peak, stretched from England to North Africa, from the tip of the Iberian peninsula to the Middle East.

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-4568-gladius-sword.aspx

"The Roman Gladius is one of the most famous sword designs, wielded by one of the most formidable fighting forces known in history. Reflecting the close ties between the military and the Arena, the word gladiator comes from the word gladius: the sword used by both the legionairies, the fighting might of the Roman Empire, and some of the gladiators who re-enacted Rome's military successes."

Here's a scene from Chapter 6 in  Zenobia - Birth of a Legend :

"She gripped her long spear with her right hand, its butt end resting in the sling and boot that hung from her saddle. As with most of the cavalrymen, she wore a circular shield on her left forearm... The line began to trot forward in unison."

“Zenobia governed Syria from about 250 to 275 AD. She led her armies on horseback wearing full armor and during Claudius' reign defeated the Roman legions so decisively that they retreated from much of Asia Minor. Arabia, Armenia and Persia allied themselves with her and she claimed dominion over Egypt by right of ancestry." - Kathleen O’B.- http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/

Time for more of my favorite "Did you know" from history.com. This time it's Rome...

10 innovations that built ancient Rome

Me (Julie) at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with a copy of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend.

I don't even need a passport to experience Rome from Zenobia's time. 

Did You Know?

Many ancient Roman innovations vanished for thousands of years after the fall of the empire. Roman technology was astonishingly ahead of its time, but well-kept trade secrets meant that countless inventions died with their owners. The most famous example is concrete, which disappeared for centuries and was not adequately reproduced until the invention of Portland cement in the early 1800s.

The full article can be found at: http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-innovations-that-built-ancient-rome

By Evan Andrews

The Western Roman Empire may have fallen more than 1,500 years ago, but its rich legacy of innovation and invention can still be seen today. The Romans were prodigious builders and expert civil engineers, and their thriving civilization produced advances in technology, culture and architecture that remained unequaled for centuries. From aqueducts to newspapers, find out more about 10 innovations that built ancient Rome.

1. Aqueducts

lillisphotography/iStockphoto.com

The Romans enjoyed many amenities for their day, including public toilets, underground sewage systems, fountains and ornate public baths. None of these aquatic innovations would have been possible without the Roman aqueduct.

2. Concrete

Grand Tour Collection/Corbis

Many ancient Roman structures like the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum are still standing today thanks to the development of Roman cement and concrete.

3. Newspapers

LeitnerR/iStockphoto.com

The Romans were known to contribute to public discourse through the use of official texts detailing military, legal and civil issues. Known as Acta Diurna, or “daily acts,” these early newspapers were written on metal or stone and then posted in heavily trafficked areas like the Roman Forum.

4. Welfare

G. Dagli Orti/De Agostini/Getty Images

Ancient Rome was the wellspring for many modern government programs, including measures that subsidized food, education and other expenses for the needy.

5. Bound Books

aeduard/iStockphoto.com

For most of human history, literature took the form of unwieldy clay tablets and scrolls. The Romans streamlined the medium by creating the codex, a stack of bound pages that is recognized as the earliest incarnation of the book.

6. Roads and Highways

Atlantide Phototravel/Corbis

At its height, the Roman empire encompassed nearly 1.7 million square miles and included most of southern Europe. To ensure effective administration of this sprawling domain, the Romans built the most sophisticated system of roads the ancient world had ever seen. These Roman roads—many of which are still in use today—were constructed with a combination of dirt, gravel and bricks made from granite or hardened volcanic lava.

7. Roman Arches

Vanni Archive/Corbis

Arches have existed for roughly 4,000 years, but the ancient Romans were the first to effectively harness their power in the construction of bridges, monuments and buildings.

8. The Julian Calendar 

grublee/iStockphoto.com

The modern Gregorian calendar is modeled very closely on a Roman version that dates back more than 2,000 years. (*READ an article I wrote about the Julian Calender at http://geodepress.com/how-february-came-to-be/)

9. The Twelve Tables and the Corpus Juris Civilis

Subpoena, habeas corpus, pro bono, affidavit—all these terms derive from the Roman legal system, which dominated Western law and government for centuries. The basis for early Roman law came from the Twelve Tables, a code that formed an essential part of the constitution during the Republican era.

10. Battlefield Surgery

G. Nimatallah/De Agostini/Getty Images

The Romans invented many surgical tools and pioneered the use of the cesarean section, but their most valuable contributions to medicine came on the battlefield. Under the leadership of Augustus, they established a military medical corps that was one of the first dedicated field surgery units. These specially trained medics saved countless lives through the use of Roman medical innovations like hemostatic tourniquets and arterial surgical clamps to curb blood loss.

Zenobia loved to learn and expand her knowledge. Even though Zenobia spent most of her life trying to eradicate Roman control over her Syrian people, I think she respected the Romans many innovations. Especially since Palmyra, Syria (Tadmor in Arabic)  prospered under the Romans influence for many years.

Women in sports from ancient Olympics to 2013 Triple Crown

Women have been participating in sporting events since the ancient Olympics. Now of course, their participation was limited but that didn’t stop them from excelling where they could. Pictured below is  Cynisca, a Spartan princess  racing her chariot. 

Did you know?

• There were a handful of female winners at the ancient Olympic Games. While women were prohibited from directly competing in events like running, wrestling and jumping, they were allowed to enter horses in chariot races. These women were banned from driving the chariots themselves, but as owners and trainers they were still eligible to claim the victory wreath. The first female to do so was Cynisca, a Spartan princess who won a four-horse race called the tethrippon at both the 396 and 392 B.C. Olympics. She was followed by other female Olympic victors, including Bilistiche in 268 B.C. and Timareta and Theodota in 84 B.C.
• 
  

 To read the full article go to: http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/7-ancient-sports-stars

Zenobia may have heard the stories of these triumphant ladies and was inspired by them. Zenobia – Birth of a Legend ends with Zenobia competing in a horse race in Alexandria, Egypt. This upsets some very powerful men. They don’t like the idea of a girl in a man’s event and the outcome of the race will change Zenobia’s life forever. As you will find out in book two,  Zenobia – Challenging a Legend–COMING SOON!

From the earliest times to modern days, women have been participating in sports in some way or another. We’d like to think maybe Zenobia’s story has inspired others. Like Rosie, the first woman jockey to participate in all three prestigious races called the Triple Crown in one year.

“‘Judge me on my talent, not my sex.”

 

Firsts In Women’s Sports History

“There’s no doubt that there have always been athletic, strong, and talented women, but the opportunity to compete wasn’t always there.  Take a look at the PHOTO GALLERY  to view some amazing “firsts” in women’s sports.”

http://www.makers.com/blog/firsts-womens-sports-history-photo-gallery

11 things you may not know about Ancient Egypt-

To read the full article please visit: http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/11-things-you-may-not-know-about-ancient-egypt

Ancient Egypt stood as one of the world’s most advanced civilizations for nearly 3,000 years and created a culture so rich that it has spawned its own field of study.

11 things you may not know about Ancient Egypt –

1. Cleopatra was not Egyptian

Along with King Tut, perhaps no figure is more famously associated with ancient Egypt than Cleopatra VII. But while she was born in Alexandria, Cleopatra was actually part of a long line of Greek Macedonians originally descended from Ptolemy I, one of Alexander the Great’s most trusted lieutenants. The Ptolemaic Dynasty ruled Egypt from 323 to 30 B.C., and most of its leaders remained largely Greek in their culture and sensibilities. In fact, Cleopatra was famous for being one of the first members of the Ptolemaic dynasty to actually speak the Egyptian language. (SEE AT THE END OF THIS POST AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ZENOBIA AND CLEOPATRA.)

2. The ancient Egyptians forged one of the earliest peace treaties on record

3. Ancient Egyptians loved board games

After a long day’s work along the Nile River, Egyptians often relaxed by playing board games. Several different games were played, including “Mehen” and “Dogs and Jackals,” but perhaps the most popular was a game of chance known as “Senet.”

4. Egyptian women had a wide range of rights and freedoms

5. Egyptian workers were known to organize labor strikes

6. Egyptian pharaohs were often overweight

7. The pyramids were not built by slaves 

These ancient construction workers were a mix of skilled artisans and temporary hands, and some appear to have taken great pride in their craft. Graffiti found near the monuments suggests they often assigned humorous names to their crews like the “Drunkards of Menkaure” or the “Friends of Khufu.”

8. King Tut may have been killed by a hippopotamus 

Scans of the young king’s body show that he was embalmed without his heart or his chest wall. This drastic departure from traditional Egyptian burial practice suggests that he may have suffered a horrific injury prior to his death. According to a handful of Egyptologists, one of the most likely causes for this wound would have been a bite from a hippopotamus.

9. Some Egyptian doctors had specialized fields of study

10. Egyptians kept many animals as pets 

The Egyptians saw animals as incarnations of the gods and were one of the first civilizations to keep household pets. Egyptians were particularly fond of cats, which were associated with the goddess Bastet, but they also had a reverence for hawks, ibises, dogs, lions and baboons. Many of these animals held a special place in the Egyptian home, and they were often mummified and buried with their owners after they died.

11. Egyptians of both sexes wore makeup 

Both men and women were known to wear copious amounts of makeup, which they believed gave them the protection of the gods Horus and Ra. The Egyptians believed their makeup had magical healing powers, and they weren't entirely wrong: Research has shown that the lead-based cosmetics worn along the Nile actually helped stave off eye infections.

Interesting fact is Zenobia claimed to be descendant of the Ptolemaic Greek Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt. According to Augustan History, an imperial declaration in 269 was sent by  Zenobia to the citizens of Alexandria, Egypt, describing the city as “my ancestral city”.

Picture by http://www.howarddavidjohnson.com/Z97.htm