The Seven Wonders of the World: A Bucket List for Ancient Travellers
Nov 6, 2024
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Bettany Hughes, a celebrated historian and author, delves into the captivating tales of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. She shares insights on the awe-inspiring Great Pyramid of Giza and the mysterious Hanging Gardens of Babylon, reflecting on their cultural and historical significance. The discussion includes the enduring allure of these wonders and their impact on humanity's collective experience. Bettany also examines the Temple of Artemis and the profound connections between ancient sites and modern identity, celebrating our shared legacy.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were not only monumental achievements but also served as cultural bucket lists for ancient travelers.
Recent archaeological findings challenge previous theories on the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, highlighting human ingenuity beyond enslaved labor.
Deep dives
The Concept of Wonder in Human Experience
Wonder, defined as a feeling of awe and marvel, resonates deeply within humanity, driving both individual and collective pursuits. This sense stems from an innate desire to share extraordinary experiences, which historians like Bettany Hughes believe has been a constant throughout time. Humans have always sought to achieve and create beyond the ordinary, often collaborating to produce monumental achievements that inspire generations. Hughes emphasizes the significance of communication about these awe-inspiring accomplishments as essential to our shared cultural history.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The concept of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World served as a cultural bucket list during the Hellenistic period, encouraging travelers to witness humanity's most remarkable creations. Historically, these wonders included the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, among others, and represent monumental artistry and engineering prowess. Bettany Hughes points out that the list reflects not just architectural grandeur but also practical travel guides that offered insights into the lives and values of ancient civilizations. The relevance of these historical sites continues to captivate modern audiences, highlighting their lasting legacy.
The Pyramid of Giza: A Testament to Human Ambition
The Great Pyramid of Giza, the last remaining wonder, showcases extraordinary architectural achievement and reflects the ancient Egyptians' deep-seated spiritual beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife. Constructed over 4,600 years ago, the pyramid was designed both as a tomb for the Pharaoh and a symbol of national identity, built using massive limestone blocks transported through ingenious methods. Hughes discusses recent archaeological findings that reveal insights into the pyramid's construction, challenging theories that attribute its creation solely to enslaved laborers. These discoveries underscore a collective ambition and human ingenuity that aimed to ensure the Pharaoh's safe passage to the afterlife.
The Enigmatic Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon remain shrouded in mystery, with historical accounts describing them as terraced wonders that may have never existed in physical form. Despite their fame, there is no definitive archaeological evidence to confirm their existence, leading historians to speculate that they might have been misattributed to Babylon while actually belonging to Nineveh. Bettany Hughes considers the profound human longing for nature and beauty, embodied in these gardens, which represented a connection between mankind and the natural world. The Garden’s allure continues to spark imagination, symbolizing the ancient desire to master the environment, a theme still relevant in contemporary discussions about humanity's relationship with nature.
More than 2,000 years ago, someone sat down and drafted a list of what they thought were the seven man-made wonders of the ancient world. From the Pyramid of Giza to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, historian Bettany Hughes shares her enthusiasm for the monumental achievements brought into existence by ancient cultures.
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