The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Mausoleum is a tomb for King Mausolos, the Persian king of Caria at 4th century. This unique tomb built by his wife, Queen Artemisia, his sister also. Believed that tomb’s construction started before the King’s death. But completed just after two years from his death.
This marvelous monument survived many natural disasters for 16 centuries. But eventually earthquakes destroyed and ruined it. The information about this great monument described by a Roman writer, Pliny the Elder. Some of the marble fragments you can see today. But most of the findings of this splendid monument preserved at the British Museum in London.
There’re three major parts to this Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. A monument, columns and a pyramid (resembling a Greek temple). This great monument – oblong structure that has 36 columns. The pyramid located on the top which had a perimeter of 440 feet. The height of the tomb – 135 feet. The monument tomb mostly made up of marble and had a huge rectangular base. Walls and towers watch built on the sides.
On top of the podium, or rectangular base stand 36 columns, nine on each side. Each section of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus separated by a column. In each column, a statue was placed. The whole structure consisted of 36 statues of gods and goddesses. The height of some of the statues is 5 feet or more. The solid blocks that placed at the end of the columns carried the weight of the ceiling. A work of beautiful art carved on the top of the ceiling. The roof of the stone pyramid in the form of 24 steps. A huge statue of four horses pulling a chariot built on the top of the pyramid.