| | The Pharos of Alexandria was the only one of the Seven Wonders to feature in the list both for its practical utility and architectural grandeur. Incidentally it was also the last to disappear from the earth's surface. The Pharos of Alexandria is located on the island of Pharos, which is now a promontory in Alexandria, Egypt.
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Ptolemy Soter, Alexander the Great's Commander, founded Alexandria after assuming power. He established his capital there. Off Alexandria's coast lies an island - the Pharos - connected to the mainland by means of a dike known as the Heptastadion, thus giving the city a double harbor. The name is either a variation of the Pharaoh's Island or Greek in origin. The dangerous sailing conditions and a flat coastline made the construction of a lighthouse essential.
The project was conceived and initiated by the commander himself in 290 BC, and was completed after his death, during his son Ptolemy Philadelphus' reign. Even though Stratus was the architect, the detailed calculations of the structure and accessories were done at the Alexandria Library. The Pharos of Alexandria was dedicated to the Savior Gods: Ptolemy Soter (Soter meaning savior) and his wife Berenice. The Pharos of Alexandria was used to mark the harbor, using fire at night and reflecting sun rays during the day.
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| The Arabs, who later conquered Alexandria, repeatedly mentioned the Pharos of Alexandria in their writings and travelers accounts. But the new rulers moved their capital to Cairo. When the mirror of the Pharos of Alexandria was brought down mistakenly, they did not bother to restore it. An earthquake shook Alexandria in AD 956, and damaged the Lighthouse. Later in 1303 and in 1323 two stronger earthquakes pulled the structure to the ground.
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It had three stages. The lowest square was 183.4 ft high with a cylindrical core. The middle stage of the Pharos of Alexandria was octagonal, 60.0 ft long at the side and of 90.1 ft high. The third stage was circular and was 24.0 ft high. The total height of the Pharos of Alexandria, including the foundation base, was about 384 ft. An internal core was used as a shaft to lift the fuel for the fire. At the top stage, the mirror reflected sunlight during the day. A statue of Poseidon adorned the summit of the building.
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