The 2,000-year-old travel list to complete before you die
May 6, 2025
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In this engaging conversation, historian Bettany Hughes delves into the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, unveiling the mystery behind this ancient travel list. She discusses the Great Pyramid of Giza, highlighting its colossal construction and spiritual significance. The iconic Hanging Gardens of Babylon are also explored, blending myth with possible realities. Bettany reflects on the cultural importance of these wonders, revealing how they shaped human connection and sparked a timeless sense of wonder that resonates even today.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World reflect humanity's enduring quest for marvel and shared experiences across generations.
Bettany Hughes emphasizes the historical and practical significance of the original wonders, categorizing achievements during the Hellenistic Age.
The Great Pyramid of Giza symbolizes ancient engineering prowess, while the mystery of the Hanging Gardens highlights beauty amidst life's challenges.
Deep dives
The Concept of Wonder
Wonder is deeply rooted in human nature, serving as a state of marvel that inspires both private reflection and collective sharing. This feeling encourages individuals to appreciate and communicate awe-inspiring achievements in culture and history. Bettany Hughes emphasizes that throughout history, cultures have produced extraordinary monuments that reflect our craving for such wonder. The quest for marvel often manifests in lists of remarkable sites, creating a communal sense of exploration and celebration of human ingenuity.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Hughes' latest book focuses on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a list compiled over 2,300 years ago that showcases exceptional human constructions like the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. This list serves as a travel guide, encouraging visitors to experience these monumental achievements of the past, regardless of social status. She highlights the practical nature of this list, created during the Hellenistic Age, as a means to rationally categorize and appreciate wonders in a chaotic world. This historical significance reveals not only the ingenuity of human craftsmanship but also our desire to leave enduring legacies.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza stands as the only remaining wonder from the original list, symbolizing the extraordinary engineering capabilities of ancient Egyptians. Constructed over 4,600 years ago, it is made from 2.3 million limestone blocks, reflecting the immense ambition and skill involved in its creation. New archaeological discoveries reveal insights into the pyramid's construction and the collaborative efforts of thousands of laborers, emphasizing the sense of common purpose that drove this monumental feat. Hughes notes that for the Egyptians, this creation was not just a tomb but a critical part of their spiritual belief in ensuring the continuation of life and natural order.
The Mysterious Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, shrouded in mystery, are practically the most famous of the seven wonders, despite the lack of concrete evidence of their existence. Descriptions suggest they featured elaborate terraces with exotic plants, possibly constructed as an expression of power by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his homesick wife. Numerous ancient accounts detail this garden, raising questions about their actual location and existence in the history of Babylon. Hughes discusses their significance as symbols of beauty and ambition, juxtaposed with the harsh realities of urban life, resonating deeply with contemporary longings for nature.
The Cultural Legacy of the Wonders
The significance of the Seven Wonders extends beyond their physical forms, embodying humanity's creative potential and the enduring desire to produce beauty. Hughes grapples with why these creations continue to resonate today, suggesting that they spark a sense of connection and aspiration across generations. The act of creating wonders can also be viewed as a hopeful protest against the destructive tendencies of human nature, affirming the belief that collaboration can lead to extraordinary achievements. Ultimately, these wonders serve as a reminder of our rich heritage and the shared responsibility of preserving beauty for future generations.
More than 2,000 years ago, someone sat down and wrote a travel bucket list for the ancient world — suggesting must-see places that we now call The Seven Wonders of the World. It was kind of a Lonely Planet guide of its time, and included the Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the lighthouse of Alexandria, and the Temple of Artemis, among others. Historian Bettany Hughes brings monuments and archaeological discoveries back to life in her book, The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
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