Mausoleum
at Halicarnassus

Seven Wonder

 

Why the Mausoleum
at Halicarnassus

Seven Wonder
is special

The 4th century BC Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was not only imposing, it was ornately decorated (see picture) with columns and statues. The step-pyramid roof of this Seven Wonder was crowned with a large dramatic sculpture of four horses pulling a chariot carrying the King Mausolus and his Queen Artemisia.

The marble tomb was as high as a modern 14 story building and, from its strategic hillside location, overlooked Halicarnassus and its bay.

Queen Artemisia commissioned the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in 353 BC for her husband. In tribute to her husband, she spared little expense in hiring some of the best craftsmen and sculptors of her day.

Interesting tidbits
about the Mausoleum
at Halicarnassus

King Mausolus

He was just an average provincial ruler of the vast Persian Empire 2300 years ago. His life would not have made him famous in history. His dead body did.

Queen Artemisia

Queen Artemisia died two years after her husband (and brother) King Mausolus. She was buried along side him in the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.

The Seven Wonder tomb wasn't quite finished when Queen Artemisia died. The builders decided to finish the building project because, according to the Roman historian Pliny, the tomb was not just a memorial to the royal couple, but also to the sculptor's art.

Earthquakes

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus stood reasonably intact for 17 centuries. Then, around 1400 AD, a series of earthquakes gradually collapsed this Seven Wonder.

Building blocks used
for crusader castle

About a hundred years later, the Knights of St. John of Malta were expecting an attack from an enemy. This motivated them to take the available blocks from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus ruins to reinforce the walls of their crusader castle across the bay.

Lost knowledge

No one knows what happened to the bodies of King Mausolus and his queen - and of the artistic treasures that were likely interred with them. However, King Mausolus's name lives on in its modern word derivation. Dictionaries define "Mausoleum" as a large, stately tomb.

Current condition

Little was remaining when I explored the Mausoleum at Harlicarnassus site (2300 years after it was built). It is uncertain whether the marble debris on the ground came from the Seven Wonder or subsequent structures. You can view some of the statues (and other items) that were apparently part of the tomb in the British Museum.

Bodrum

The city of Halicarnassus is now named Bodrum. It is now a major vacation destination. Bodrum's most popular attraction is not the Mausoleum at Halicarnnasus ruins but rather the crusader castle that is partially made from the Seven Wonder ruins.

The city is also known for its large fleet of chartered wooden sail boats. They are quite charming and sail the Turkish coast.

Bodrum is a Hillman Wonders Bronze Medal winner.

Seven Wonders map for the
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

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