Corcovado Hill in Rio de Janeiro with Jesus Christ the Redeemer statue
Posted on 07/07/2007 6:38:22 PM PDT by bd476
The seven wonders of the ancient world
8 Jul 2007, 0513 hrs IST,
REUTERS
The results were announced on Sunday: the Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer, Peru's Machu Picchu, Mexico's Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, the Colosseum in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the traditional Seven Wonders of the ancient world still standing.
Here are some details on the original seven: The historian Herodotus (ca 484-425 BC), and the scholar Callimachus of Cyrene (ca 305-240 BC) at the Museum of Alexandria, made early lists of "seven wonders" but their writings did not survive, except as references.
The list that we know today was compiled in the Middle Ages, by which time many of the sites no longer existed. It came mostly from ancient Greek writings, so only sites that would have been known and visited by the ancient Greeks were included.
The list included: The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 2650-2500 BC as the tomb of fourth dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, built around 600 BC. Herodotus claimed that the outer walls were 56 miles in length, 80 feet thick and 320 feet high. Believed destroyed by earthquake.
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, built 550 BC and dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis. Burned down in 356 BC.
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, erected in 435 BC and 12 metres (40 feet) tall. It was dismantled by Christian rulers in the 5th or 6th centuries to discourage paganism.
The Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus in what is now southeast Turkey, built in 351 BC and approximately 45 metres (135 feet) tall. Each of its four sides was adorned with reliefs. Origin of the word mausoleum. Damaged by an earthquake and destroyed by AD 1494 by European Crusaders.
The Colossus of Rhodes, built 292-280 BC. A giant bronze statue of the Greek god Helios, roughly the same size as today's Statue of Liberty in New York. Destroyed in 224 BC by earthquake.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria, built in 3rd century BC Egypt. At 115-135 metres (380-440 feet) tall it was among the tallest man-made structures on Earth for many centuries. Destroyed in the Middle Ages by earthquake.
bump
Watch out for the U.N
Any idea who made this decision?
What place did Rosie O’Donnell’s butt come in???
Amazing... I didn't know this was "ancient."
According to the article it appears that the list was compiled sometime during the Middle Ages, based upon ancient Greek writings.
What about the Grand Canyon...
The wonders have to be man-made.
for my favorite ping list...
Are there two lists? Natural wonders and man-made wonders? Yeah, the Grand Canyon ought to be on the former.
To all freepers.....go and see PETRA....it is UNBELIEVABLE!! Go to Israel and take a tour from your hotel to Petra, AMMAN and Jerash and Petra....NOTHING like it!
***The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, erected in 435 BC and 12 metres (40 feet) tall. It was dismantled by Christian rulers in the 5th or 6th centuries to discourage paganism. ***
Now wait a minute. According to a program on thei Discovery or History channel it was dismantled on the orders of Caligula to be moved to Rome. After Caligula’s death most of the statue was stored in another temple which was then destroyed by fire. Christians were NOT involved with it’s destruction.
Oops! Here's an updated correction to my previous response:
Reuters Africa
New wonders of the world named after online poll
Sun 8 Jul 2007, 1:16 GMT
By Axel Bugge
LISBON (Reuters) - The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan and Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer are among the modern day seven wonders of the world chosen in a poll of 100 million online voters, organisers said on Saturday.
The other four are Peru's Machu Picchu, the mountain settlemenst that symbolises the Inca empire, Mexico's Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, the Colosseum in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India.
The seven winners were announced at a glitzy show at the Benfica stadium in Lisbon after what is likely to be the biggest online poll at www.new7wonders.com.
"Never before in history have so many people participated in a global decision," actress Hilary Swank said at the presentation.
The ancient seven wonders of the world all existed more than 2,000 years ago and were all in the Mediterranean region. Only one remains standing today -- the Pyramids of Giza.
The originals were selected by one man, believed by many to be ancient Greek writer Antipater of Sidon.
The New 7 Wonders of the World organisers say the contest was a chance to level the global cultural playing field and recognise the achievements of societies outside Europe and the Middle East.
Only one European site, the Colosseum, was picked. The Eiffel Tower and the Acropolis had also been contenders.
"I am happy that for the first time in history the world was able to vote and decide," said Jose Freitas do Amaral, commissioner of the New 7 Wonders of the World and Portugal's former foreign minister.
GLITZY PRESENTATION
Many Portuguese enjoying the glitzy presentation, which included break-dancing and singing by tenor Jose Carreras and pop star Jennifer Lopez, backed the choice of new wonders.
"I think this event is very important. It's important to give a chance to other historical monuments," said 60-year-old Ivone Caroca.
At Chichen Itza, in Rio de Janeiro and in Peru -- the three winners in Latin America -- people cheered, danced and applauded when their sites were selected.
"They asked me to tell you that the Christ is now a wonder," lead singer of Brazilian band O Rappa, Marcelo Falcao, said in the middle of the Live Earth concert on Copacabana beach, prompting wild cheering and exchanges of hugs in the crowd.
At Chichen Itza, 26-year-old engineering student Alberto Jimenez jumped with joy together with hundreds of others. "This archaeological recognition is a great achievement for the whole country," he said.
Critics, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), have said world wonders should not be chosen in a popular vote.
In the Lisbon audience, 62-year-old Antonio Catarino was upset because no Catholic cathedrals or churches were included.
"I find it unforgivable that there aren't any in the voting," he said.
The New 7 Wonders organisation, established by Swiss-Canadian adventurer Bernard Weber, will use half its revenues to fund restoration efforts worldwide, including recreating the Bamiyan Buddha statue in Afghanistan.
New wonders of the world named after online poll
I'm in the mood for spicy chicken now. Chicken enchiladas, maybe.
That referred to the old list...poor writing. Alas, it’s Reuters. There’s no hope for them.
Taking Suzy’s Que LOLOLOL! I googled Petra, and found who made this decision. Interesting!!!!!!!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Seven_Wonders_of_the_World
Boy, you sure called that one. Here's a quote from an updated article I just posted:
"Critics, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), have said world wonders should not be chosen in a popular vote."
posted article
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