The Lighthouse of Alexandria Lost Legacy of Pharos Maddie Samz Junior Division Historical Paper 1 The Lighthouse of Alexandria, the very pinnacle of ancient Egyptian architecture with a flame that could be seen for a hundred miles, is a tragedy worth exploring indeed. One of the Seven Wonders of the World that’s rarely acknowledged or talked about, it was destroyed by earthquakes in the 15th century with most of its memory going with it. This topic is very near-and-dear to my heart, having to do with both Ancient Egypt AND architecture, two concepts that have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. That being said, I take the burning of the Library of Alexandria (which held all sorts of records about this particular area) quite personally and as I went through my research I found it extraordinarily difficult to find primary sources, or even secondary ones that agreed with each other. So without further adieu, my research and arguments to why exactly the lighthouse is such a good example of why we need to preserve our culture and delve into the information we have from those in the past. Here’s what ​The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy​, a Galactic Encyclopedia featured in the book series by Douglas Adams, ​might​ have to say on this particular lighthouse: The Lighthouse of Alexandria is highly regarded by the people of Earth who still talk about it at ALL, and for good reason. Commissioned by Alexandrian ruler Ptolemy I Soter, It was one of the tallest structures ever built by mankind behind the Pyramids of Giza that still stand today, a great feat of architecture and a wonderful example of the technology and culture of that particular time period. The lighthouse, the actual measurements and details of which are still heavily disputed, sat on the little island of Pharos. When Pharos was gradually brought closer and eventually joined to the land with the deposit of silt brought from the river Nile, it created 2 natural curves instantly useful as harbours. But 2 the waters were dangerous, with the reefs flush with the surface and tragic track record, so the lighthouse was built in order to secure the port. The need for a lookout point also brought about the lighthouse, since there were no mountains or high spots in Alexandria that allowed easy surveillance. Lighthouses were also rare, tricky structures, and this one became a symbol of power for Alexandria, so much that “Pharos” is the root word for lighthouse in many languages. It was rather expensive to construct, costing 800 ‘talents’ (a form of ancient currency) at the time, equalling about 3 million dollars today. Earthquakes in 1303 and 1323 BC and the burning of the Library of Alexandria (another highly regarded structure) are responsible for its demise, both physically and mentally from the people of the world, and partial erasure from modern common history knowledge on Earth. Expanding on this hypothetical research, Study.com says “The lighthouse stood approximately 450 feet tall and was built with light-colored stone and molten lead to create walls strong enough to withstand the crashing waves. The first level was squared shape, the middle level had an octagon shaped, and the top was circular. A reflective mirror on the top level would reflect the sunlight during the day to guide the ships. A fire was used at night. Some sources say it was so effective, it could be seen from 100 miles out to sea.” (sketch by Hermann Thiersch, 1909, pictured right) The measurements of said floors are thought to be roughly 71 meters for the first floor, 34 meters for the second, and 9 meters for the third. A disputed statue may have stood on top, but due to the obscurity of records and ruins for this structure we aren’t exactly sure who or what the statue was ​of. ​Some sources say it was of Poseidon, 3 some say Zeus or Helios (a sun god), yet others speculate that it could’ve been that of Alexander the Great or Ptolemy I Soter. However, there is still debate whether there was one at ALL. Other legends also say the polished brass plate used in the lighthouse could be used to set fire to oncoming ships (when used in a certain way to reflect the sunlight), and recent studies say that this could in fact be possible, but most scholars haven’t accepted this concept to be true due to the limited technology at the time. Construction on this wonder began around 290 BC and took about 20 years to complete. In that time, Ptolemy I passed away, putting his son in his place to officially open the structure. To this day, the architect who designed the lighthouse isn’t known. One such person who could’ve designed it was Sostratus of Cnidus, a Greek architect, but like everything about this lighthouse, it’s disputed. The lighthouse disappears from the historical record after the 14th century CE, presumably finally toppled by earthquakes sometime in the 1330s CE. This symbol of ancient Egyptian culture appeared on everything from coins, paintings, and journals from travelers. Once such (pictured right) is from Mojmal al-tavariḵ va al-qesas, a chronicle written in Ghaznavid Persia, mostly about Persian kings and history. It was an excellent representation of just what could be done in ancient times, and was so widely renowned in its time that it earned itself a place among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, guiding thousands of ships to Alexandria’s harbor safely before it’s unfortunate demise, both physically and 4 from records. The building’s innovative style even reached around the world, it’s tapering tiers being influential to Islamic and Western architecture. You’ll see this design in church spires even today, especially those in London designed by Christopher Wren (pictured upper left, taken by Wikimedia user Gryffindor) Minarets on the mosques of Cairo also look similar to the lighthouse, as pictured left (from DSLEWIS' photos on Flickr). Looking at it on a timeline, we see that it is almost certain that the Romans may have used the lighthouse to navigate their way into Alexandria, ultimately destroying itself when the Library was burned, getting rid of most possible records of the lighthouse. This is such a tragedy in itself, losing so much vital information about a structure and the historical city. It’s almost unthinkable to imagine such a huge piece of a culture practically disappearing from records, such as if something were to happen to the Eiffel tower and it ended completely unknown to the generations following us. It’s such a widespread, well known structure that we can hardly imagine it completely vanishing, both from humanity’s future minds and historical representation, a cultural symbol gone. However, this is very much the case with the Lighthouse of Alexandria. The fact that what was standing of the lighthouse after the earthquakes was demolished and its materials were used to build the Citadel of Qaitbay in 1480 makes me extraordinarily angry, especially since those ruins could have given us so much information that we lack today in regards to this ancient structure, and my desire to somehow prevent this is nearly overwhelming. 5 The Lighthouse of Alexandria is a prime example of ancient architecture and technology, nearly lost to history. It’s an example of what could and has happened to other structures if we don't preserve them properly. It’s influence still reaches us today, between our ever-growing knowledge of ancient culture and the buildings around us that are clearly based off of its innovative tapered-style (Festival Hall on Navy Pier, pictured right by WESTEND61 on Getty Images). I’ve gotten to see some of these buildings firsthand, in which during a family trip to Chicago I took many pictures and often excitedly pointed out parallels in the structures to the lighthouse (much to the chagrin of my family who had no idea what I was talking about to which I would start shouting things along the lines of “EXACTLY!”). The way this lighthouse, though obscure, has opened my mind and knowledge of a hidden part of a culture that I’ve loved all my life, is a triumph in itself and there is nothing I’d like to see more than the story of this Wonder becoming more widespread, further analyzed, and recognized by even school-children. According to Sputniknews.com, there are already efforts in place to rebuild the lighthouse close to its original location, and archaeologists belonging to the UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Convention are working hard with the Egyptian Government to preserve the site where the lighthouse once stood. Our closest source of accurate firsthand information comes from the discovery of ruins by French archaeologists in 1944 in Alexandria’s eastern harbor, and if we can get the go-ahead for preservation and studying, loads of new information can no-doubt be revealed. The loss of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, 6 although tragic indeed, can now be seen with a new lense, one in which emulates resurrection and new life, a pure triumph for Ancient and Modern Alexandria. The Lighthouse of Alexandria, the pinnacle of Ancient Egyptian architecture and technology, a symbol of this iconic nation’s culture and power. The ruins it still has to itself lie at the bottom of Alexandria’s eastern harbour, its certain secrets locked in its stones. It’s an example of why we need to preserve what we have, and pursue knowledge of ancient cultures that are very portals back in time to places that were once renowned around the world, now merely rubble and ruins among densely populated areas at relative war.