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Dan Snow's History Hit

The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World

Jan 31, 2024
Bettany Hughes, author of 'The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World', joins Dan Snow to discuss the origins and significance of the seven wonders. They explore the engineering marvels of the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. They also delve into the history and construction of the Temple of Artemis and the Statue of Zeus, as well as the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the Colossus of Rhodes. The podcast concludes with insights on the siege of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the enduring importance of ancient wonders.
31:52

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The seven wonders of the ancient world were remarkable sites that served as symbols of power, beauty, and human creativity, and continue to inspire awe and admiration today.
  • The concept of the seven wonders originated from ancient lists and the Greeks popularized it with their own selection, highlighting the human desire to marvel at extraordinary feats and the special significance attributed to the number seven.

Deep dives

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

The podcast episode discusses the seven wonders of the ancient world, which were renowned sites that people from the Hellenistic world wanted to see. The wonders included the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Each wonder had unique characteristics and stories associated with it. The podcast emphasizes the significance of these wonders in terms of their engineering marvels, historical context, and cultural impact. These wonders served as symbols of power, beauty, and human creativity.

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