This tomb is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. It was built in a small kingdom in Asia Minor. The Queen hired Greek architects to design the building, which was a tomb for her beloved husband. They did an incredible job.
Legend says King Mausolus was a ruler of a small kingdom in Asia Minor. His wife was a beautiful woman named Artemisia. Artemisia loved her husband dearly. When the king died, his wife decided to build her husband the most magnificent tomb in the world.
And she did. She interviewed Greek architects. She hired the Greek architect who designed the Temple of Artemis, another of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. When it was completed, the tomb was 140 feet high. It was designed in thirds. The bottom third was solid marble. The middle third was built with Greek columns. The columns supported the top third, which was pyramid shaped. At the top of the pyramid was a large, stone sculpture of the king and queen, standing in a stone chariot. It was incredible. No one had ever seen anything like it.
From far and wide, people came to gaze upon the tomb in wonder. The people called it the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
Most of the lists created by the ancient Greeks include the Mausoleum as one of the 7 wonders of the world. It stood for a very long time. During the Middle Ages, a series of earthquakes finally brought it down. It was not rebuilt. The stones were carted away by the townspeople, who used them in their own homes and structures.
Free Powerpoints
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in PowerPoint format (Donn)
7 Ancient Wonders, interactive, online
Plus
Ancient Civilizations for Kids
Babylon
Egypt
Greece
Rome
Free Ancient Wonders Lesson Plans for Teachers