In 1994 in the coastal waters of Alexandria (Egypt), divers, archaeologists began to explore the bottom. At the bottom of the sea, they were looking for artifacts. They beat the big blocks of stone were found. This archaeological expeditions have been used the most recent advances in science and technology.
High-tech devices of the late twentieth century were used to search the ruins of a single and advanced technological achievements of the third century to the present day: Foros. It was a great lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the world.
Alexander the Great
The story begins with the founding of Foros Alexandria, the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great in 332 BC. Alexander began to build at least 17 cities named Alexandria after himself, on the conquered territory. Most of them have disappeared, but Alexandria, Egypt flourished for centuries and thrives today.
A place for his new city, Alexander chose rather carefully. What would an approach to the port town was not blocked with silt and mud of the Nile, was chosen for the town site, located about 20 miles west of the Nile Delta. South of the city was marshy, lake Mareotis (Mareotis). Subsequently, the channel was built connecting the lake and the Nile. In Alexandria, it was two harbors, one for movement along the Nile, and one for the Mediterranean trade. Both of these ports were deep and clean.
Soon, in 323 BC, Alexander died, the city was completed the new ruler of Egypt, Ptolemy Soter. At the time of Ptolemy the city became prosperous and rich. At the same time he became a major transportation hub for many merchant ships. In 290 Ptolemy authorized the building of the lighthouse Foroskogo. After about 20 years, one of the seven wonders of the world was built. Foros is the second in the world in building height, with the exception of the Great Pyramid.
Construction of the lighthouse
The architect of the lighthouse was Sostrat of Knidos. He was very proud of their work. Sostrat wanted to carve his name on the lighthouse. But the second Ptolemy banned Sostratu to do it, he just wanted his name on a grand building. But Sostrat resorted to cunning, he had hewn out in the basement "Sostrat Deksipfanesa son of Knidos, on behalf of all the sailors were a savior" (possible translation is wrong), then this inscription covered with plaster. And the plaster was the name of Ptolemy. sprinkle plaster with passages and hidden inscription was discovered.
The lighthouse was built on the island of Foros, and he was soon named as a beacon. Contact the word Pharos was so strongly associated with a beacon that the word "Foros" was the root of the word "lighthouse" in French, Italian, Spanish and Romanian.
There are two detailed description of the lighthouse, one made up travelers Idrisi and Yusuf Ibn al-Sheikh. According to them it was 300 cubits. Since the "elbow" approximate the quantity, it is assumed that the Pharos was the height of 450-600 pounds, although it is possible that he was also lower.
The construction of the lighthouse was more like a modern skyscraper than a lighthouse design. The building consisted of a marble block with a lead solution. There were three levels of the building. The lowest level was allegedly 200 pounds in height. Within this section there was a spiral path along which raised the building materials on horse carts.
On this side of the lighthouse was octagonal cylindrical tower. At the top of the tower was a cylinder elongated in the dome of which was a fire, something to light showing the way sailors. On the roof of the dome is a large statue of Poseidon. At the bottom of the buildings were warehouses.
At the top of the elevator located to supply food to the upper floors, as it has been used for transportation fuel. With the help of ladders workers and visitors climbed the lighthouse beacon in the main room. There was a lot according to the description of the curved mirror of the metal plate that collects the light in the beam. It was said that at night and during daytime fog light was visible at a distance of 100 miles.
There are stories about that that is a mirror used as a weapon, forwards the sun's rays on enemy ships. Another story states that used a mirror to increase the supervision of Constantinople, and after him. But this is the area of gossip, I feel that this is pure fantasy.
Apparently the lighthouse was a tourist attraction. Food sold to visitors at the top of the first level. A smaller balcony located at the top of the octagonal tower. There was a spectacular view, about 300 pounds over the sea. In the ancient world there were only a few places where you could see such a prospect.
Destruction
How did the first lighthouse in the world was on the bottom of the sea? Most evidence indicates that the lighthouse as well as other buildings were victims of earthquakes over 1,500 years. The lighthouse was damaged by tremors in 365 and 1303 AD. The final collapse of the dates from 1326 year.
Legend has it that part of the lighthouse was destroyed by fraud. In the year 850 the emperor of Constantinople had conceived a plan to destroy Foros. It is rumored that a beacon kept untold riches. Then the caliph of Cairo, who ran the Alexandria lighthouse ordered to dismantle. Only after it was destroyed by a mirror and two towers was cracked hoax. The lighthouse was restored and they had to open the mosque.
This story is not like the truth, because visitors to the lighthouse in 1115 wrote that the beacon is not touched up and running.
Are divers found the balance of Foros? Some of the large stones found at the bottom were older than Foros. There are assumptions that were used in the building blocks of old buildings.
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