# Lighthouse of Alexandria (DD-104)

> 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.

- Department: Locations (also History)
- First published: 2023-12-02
- Last updated: 2023-12-02
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lighthouse-of-alexandria/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1303**: The last of the earthquakes that ruined it
- **1480**: The Citadel of Qaitbay is built on its site

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=lighthouse-of-alexandria

## Quick facts

- **DD-104-F01**: It was built on the island of Pharos under Ptolemy II. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Built on Pharos))_
- **DD-104-F02**: Estimates put it above 100 m. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Over 100 m))_

## 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. **Built on Pharos**: It was built on the island of Pharos under Ptolemy II.
2. **Over 100 m**: Estimates put it above 100 m.
3. **A beacon fire**: A fire at the top guided ships.
4. **Earthquakes**: Earthquakes between 956 and 1303 AD ruined it.
5. **Qaitbay**: The Citadel of Qaitbay was built on its site in 1480.

## Related case files

- [The Colosseum (DD-121)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-colosseum/): I paired it with another ancient feat of engineering

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Symbolic representation of the eternal flame of knowledge': I couldn't find a source for that symbolism; the fire was a practical beacon.
- **Note**: 'No. 7' is the order of his own series, not an official ranking.

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

- Duration: 39.3 s · Published: 2023-12-02
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C0XEiSoJAPF.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Where was the lighthouse built?**  
A: At Alexandria. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Built on Pharos) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria)_

**Q: About how tall was it?**  
A: One of the tallest of its age. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Over 100 m) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria)_

**Q: What guided ships?**  
A: Reportedly with a mirror. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (A beacon fire) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria)_

**Q: What ruined it?**  
A: Between 956 and 1303 AD. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Earthquakes) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria)_

**Q: What was built on its site in 1480?**  
A: Reusing some stone. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Qaitbay) · Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Lighthouse of Alexandria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Alexandria)
- [Wikipedia: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Wonders_of_the_Ancient_World)

## 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/