6 wonders of the ancient world that disappeared from the world; were they real or just a myth?

The Seven Wonders of the World are often seen as the pinnacle of human architecture and the perfect form of engineering, that are scattered all around the world and numerous tourists visit these marvels throughout the year.

But did you know that long before the modern wonders were given the titles of the 'wonders of the world', there was a list of seven iconic structures from ancient times? These ancient wonders were built thousands of years ago and were spread across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southern Europe

Although only one of these wonders remains intact, extensive research and archaeological expeditions have found valuable information about them. Many ancient writers, including the renowned Greek historian Herodotus, have penned down and described these marvels in detail. Today, they are collectively known as the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World".

According to legend, King Nebuchadnezzar II built these beautiful gardens in the 6th century BC for his wife, Amytis of Media, who longed for the lush landscapes of her homeland. Ancient writers, including Diodorus Siculus, described the gardens as a detailed terraced structure with waterfalls cascading down each of its tiers. As of now, no solid archaeological proof has been discovered to prove their presence in Babylon, and some scholars have suggested that they were actually situated in Nineveh, close to present-day Mosul. Regardless of the doubt regarding their true location, the Hanging Gardens are still one of the most renowned wonders that tell about human aspiration to recreate nature's beauty in a man-made environment.

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a huge sculpture measuring some 40 feet (12 meters) tall and was created by the famous Greek artist Phidias around 450 BC. It represented Zeus, the king of the Greek pantheon, seated on an ornamented throne made of ivory and gold. The statue was placed in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, which was a declared area and the site for the ancient Olympic Games. Ancient author Strabo wrote about the size of the statue as so large that Zeus' head was almost reaching the roof of the temple. The statue was so beautiful that even Roman Emperor Caligula attempted to steal it, but the attempt never came to fruition. Sadly, the fate of the statue remains unknown, but it was probably destroyed in the 5th century AD during the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Built during the year 550 BC, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the most magnificent and largest temples in the ancient world, which was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis. King Croesus of Lydia built the temple, which was famous for its beauty and grandeur and had more than 100 marble columns. In 356 BC, the temple was deliberately burnt down by a person named Herostratus so that he could be famous. Although it was rebuilt, the temple was later destroyed by an earthquake in AD 262 and never rebuilt. By the 5th century AD, the great temple had vanished. The remains of the temple at Ephesus are today a tourist destination, attracting tourists from all over the world to witness its rich history.

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was a giant tomb constructed for Mausolus, the king of Caria, who passed away in 353 BC. The structure stood about 140 feet , approximately 43 meters high, and was a fusion of Greek, Egyptian, and Lycian architectural styles that bore sculptural decorations by famous artists like Scopas and Bryaxis. The mausoleum was so beautifully and largely constructed that it lent its name to the word "mausoleum" for any grand, big tomb. While much of it has been lost with the passage of time, especially after an earthquake in the year 1304, certain remains of the building are visible today.

The Colossus of Rhodes was a huge statue of the sun god Helios, around 110 feet tall. It was built roughly around 280 BC to commemorate Rhodes' triumph over Cyprus and was also one of the tallest statues in the ancient world. The Colossus stood at the entrance of the harbor of Rhodes, which at that time was one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean. Sadly, the Colossus was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC, and though no remains are left today, its memory lives on. Though its location has been a topic of controversy, most representations say that it stood atop a platform that overlooked the harbor, being symbolic of the pride and power of Rhodes.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, built around 280 BC on the island of Pharos, was one of the tallest structures of the ancient world, estimated to be around 400 feet tall. It guided sailors safely into Alexandria's harbor, one of the largest and most important ports of the ancient world. The lighthouse had a large flame at its top, which was visible from a great distance, and later a mirrored surface was also put around it to enhance the light’s reach. Though it was severely damaged by earthquakes in the 14th century and eventually collapsed, the remains of the lighthouse were discovered underwater in the 1990s. Today, it is an iconic symbol of ancient engineering and maritime navigation.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, is the only wonder that still stands today among the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’. Constructed almost 4,600 years ago as a mausoleum for the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, the grand structure was initially 481 feet (147 meters) tall. Even though it has lost some of its stones and currently stands at 455 feet (139 meters), it was the world's tallest man-made structure until the completion of the Lincoln Cathedral in 1311.

Inside the pyramid, there are passages leading to chambers, including the “king’s chamber,” which has a sarcophagus, or a coffin that buries the king. Recent scientific scans have discovered a huge void above the grand gallery, that has heightened the mystery of this ancient structure, It’s part of the Memphite Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes sites like Saqqara and Dahshur, making it one of the most important archaeological locations in the world.