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Lighthouse of Alexandria

Short answer: The Lighthouse of Alexandria, often called the Pharos, was built on the island of Pharos at Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy II, completed around 280 BC. Estimates put its height above 100 m (330 ft), making it one of the tallest human-made structures for centuries.

A fire at the top, reflected by a mirror according to later accounts, guided ships into the harbor. Three earthquakes between 956 and 1303 AD badly damaged it and it became a ruin; in 1480 the Citadel of Qaitbay was built on its site using some of its stone. Its name lives on in the word for lighthouse in several languages, such as French phare. The footage shows renderings of the lighthouse and harbor. This is No. 7 in his Seven Wonders of the Ancient World series.

VideoWrite-up2 sources

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What should you know about Lighthouse of Alexandria?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. It was built on the island of Pharos under Ptolemy II.

    DD-104-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Built on Pharos)

  2. Estimates put it above 100 m.

    DD-104-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Over 100 m)

Video transcript: Lighthouse of Alexandria: An Ancient Lighthouse Stood About 100 m Tall for Over 1,500 Years

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World No. 7 the Lighthouse of Alexandria DID YOU KNOW? The Lighthouse of Alexandria was a marvel of ancient engineering. Constructed on the small island of Pharos in the 3rd century BC, the lighthouse served as a guiding beacon for sailors entering the busy harbor of Alexandria. Standing at an estimated height of around 100 to 130 meters or 330 to 430 feet, it was one of the tallest structures in the ancient world. What's interesting is that the lighthouse was designed with a large open flame at its pinnacle, making it not only a navigational aid, but also a symbolic representation of the eternal flame of knowledge. Unfortunately, like many ancient wonders, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was eventually destroyed by a series of earthquakes in the medieval period. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 39.3s Reel ·

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Lighthouse of Alexandria: An Ancient Lighthouse Stood About 100 m Tall for Over 1,500 Years Instagram Reel · · 39.3s

The write-up

An ancient lighthouse stood about 100 m tall for over 1,500 years. Earthquakes between 956 and 1303 AD left it a ruin.

  1. Exhibit A

    Built on Pharos

    It was built on the island of Pharos under Ptolemy II.

  2. Exhibit B

    Over 100 m

    Estimates put it above 100 m.

  3. Exhibit C

    A beacon fire

    A fire at the top guided ships.

  4. Exhibit D

    Earthquakes

    Earthquakes between 956 and 1303 AD ruined it.

  5. Exhibit E

    Qaitbay

    The Citadel of Qaitbay was built on its site in 1480.

Questions people ask about Lighthouse of Alexandria

Where was the lighthouse built?

At Alexandria.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Built on Pharos) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

About how tall was it?

One of the tallest of its age.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Over 100 m) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

What guided ships?

Reportedly with a mirror.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (A beacon fire) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

What ruined it?

Between 956 and 1303 AD.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Earthquakes) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

What was built on its site in 1480?

Reusing some stone.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Qaitbay) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Where was the lighthouse built?

    1. The island of Pharos
    2. Rhodes
    3. Crete
    4. Sicily
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The island of Pharos At Alexandria. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Built on Pharos) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

  2. About how tall was it?

    1. Over 100 m
    2. 10 m
    3. 500 m
    4. 30 m
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Over 100 m One of the tallest of its age. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Over 100 m) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

  3. What guided ships?

    1. A fire at the top
    2. A bell
    3. A flag
    4. Nothing
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A fire at the top Reportedly with a mirror. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (A beacon fire) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

  4. What ruined it?

    1. Earthquakes
    2. A war
    3. A flood
    4. Arson
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Earthquakes Between 956 and 1303 AD. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Earthquakes) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

  5. What was built on its site in 1480?

    1. The Citadel of Qaitbay
    2. A mosque
    3. A palace
    4. A bridge
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The Citadel of Qaitbay Reusing some stone. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Qaitbay) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Lighthouse of Alexandria." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-104, last updated Dec 2, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lighthouse-of-alexandria/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lighthouse-of-alexandria/ · Last updated

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Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-104-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lighthouse-of-alexandria/#DD-104-F01

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