The Seven Wonders of the World is a list of architectural, engineering and/or sculptural achievements of the ancient Mediterranean world. Various Greek authors in the second century BC compiled the list.  Here they are:

1. The Great Pyramid of Giza

Standing 480 feet and constructed between 2584 BC and 2561 BC the Great Pyramid was the tallest manmade structure for more than 3,800 years.

2. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The Temple was built by Croesus in about 550 BC and was rebuilt in 356 BC after being burned down.  It was known for its size – 350 feet by 180 feet – and the amazing works of art it housed.  It was destroyed by invading Goths in 262 BC and never rebuilt. Only fragments remain which can be found in the British museum.

3.  Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The exact location of this wonder is not known and some believe it is mythical.  If it did exist, it is thought that King Nebuchadnezzer II built it in 600 BC and likely consisted of an ascending series of landscaped, tiered gardens.

4. Lighthouse of Alexandria

Thought to be about 450 feet tall, it was built between 280 BC and 247 BC.  It stood on the island of Pharos near the ancient city of Alexandria. It was damaged and destroyed by various earthquakes between 956 and 1323. It survived as ruins for about another hundred years.

5.  Statue of Zeus at Olympia

This was a huge statute of Zeus built around 435 BC in the Temple of Zeus. It was thought to have been destroyed with the Temple of Zeus in 425 AD.

6.  Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

This tomb was built between 353 BC and 350 BC. It was about 150 feet tall. It was quite ornate and stood near modern-day Bodrum, Turkey. It was destroyed by earthquakes sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries.  It was built for Mausolus, a Persian provincial governor.  It gave rise to the word “mausoleum”. NOTABLY – the top of the city courts building in downtown St. Louis is fashioned after the Mausoleum. A pic of that building is below.

St. Louis city courts bldg.

7. Colossus at Rhodes

This was a statue of the Greek sun god Helios which stood at the entrance to the harbor of the Greek city of Rhodes. It was built in 280 BC and was made of bronze.  It is thought to have been about 100 feet tall.  It was a short-lived wonder as it survived just 54 years before being destroyed by an earthquake.