Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Tomb of Mausolus) of Turkey
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Bodrum, Turkey, was a 4th-century BCE grand tomb and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ruins still inspire today.
Thanks to this special ancient world wonder, a new term was added to the heritage architectural definitions. The word mausoleum which is now used as a descriptive term referring to the memorial tomb is originally derived from the name of Mausolus for whom the marble structure was built. The tradition of building the memorial tombs commemorating the death of significant characters and families.
The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is the best to include in your Turkey Travel Package after the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt as the longest surviving Ancient World Wonder.
Mausolus reign and the Greek Culture recognition in Halicarnassus
By 377 BC, Mausolus father died, and then he ascended the throne to be the ruler of the Caria city in the Persian Empire for the coming 24 years. Carians who inhabited the city were herdsmen, however; Mausolus appreciated the Greek culture and encouraged the people of Caria to follow the same lifestyle. Mausolus moved the capital from Mylasa to Halicarnassus city on the coast. Many property projects were initiated during his reign for the development and expansion of the city.
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was built between 353 and 351 BCE as the grand tomb of Mausolus, the satrap of Caria, and his wife (and sister) Artemisia II. Inspired by the grand architecture of the time, including the Nereid Monument of Xanthos, the structure was designed by Greek architects Satyros and Pythius of Priene.
The Mausoleum stood on a stepped platform with a rectangular base, surrounded by an enclosure wall and a courtyard filled with statues of gods, legendary warriors, and animals. A grand staircase lined with stone statues led to the burial chamber, where Mausolus’ remains were placed. Atop the structure, a colossal chariot statue of Mausolus and Artemisia crowned the monument, making it one of the most extraordinary tombs of the ancient world.
Artemisia II, building the first Mausoleum
By 353 BCE, Mausolus passed away, and his sister and official wife, Artemisia II hoped to build him an eternal memorial structure to commemorate his name, that’s why; the most skillful artists were brought specially for the mission. Unfortunately, two years later, Artemisia II followed her husband in 351 BCE, before the magnificent structure she dreamed of got completed.
Heading to Bodrum, Turkey, visiting the remains of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, built of marble structure forming the massive tomb built for Mausolus, 350 BCE, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the ruler of Caria, lies in the southwestern corner of Asia Minor. The mausoleum was built over a hill overlooking the whole city.
Mausolus mausoleum at Halicarnassus building Structure and Development
By comparison to several architectural elements dating back to the 15th century in Bodrum Castle, said to be taken from the mausoleum, the structure is following the Greek architects Pythius and Satyros. The decorating sculptures of the building sides, each was assigned to a different artist: Scopas, Bryaxis, Leochares, and Timotheus.
Pliny the Elder, the Roman historian is stating that the structure took a rectangular shape extended over 140 meters. The mausoleum once was standing over 36 columns, surmounted by a 24-stepped pyramidion structure and Artemisia a riding four-horse marble chariot.
The mausoleum structure was probably demolished due to an earthquake hit the city between the 11th and the 15th century. Several earthquakes said to hit the city in the 13th century, caused the damage of columns, up till the early 15th century, only the ground of the building could survive. The mausoleum is documented to have lived for over a millennium. Remains of plaster and lime were found in Bodrum castle. Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it remains a site of historical fascination, drawing visitors eager to explore Turkey's remarkable attractions.
By the 19th century, Charles Thomas Newton, the British Museum officer managed to discover the remnant of the mausoleum. Decorations, wall reliefs, stepped roof, the marble chariot, and two statues. All the findings were transferred to London to be displayed in the British Museum.
The Present of Mausolus mausoleum
The British Museum exhibitions embrace the sculptures fragments of the Mausoleum along with the podium, a frieze of a Greek battel, and a 3-meter-statue possibly for the ruler Mausolus. The decorations bear a representation of the battles between the Greeks and the Amazons.
In 2017, the Danish Halikarnassos Project was announced to hold the responsibility of reviving the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, with no certain date for the restoration process.
Nowadays, the site is declared by the Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey as an open-air museum featuring the Ancient World Wonders.
FAQS
Q1. What is Mausoleum at Halicarnassus?
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was a grand tomb built for Mausolus, the ruler of Caria. Located in present-day Bodrum, Turkey, it was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Q2. When was Mausoleum at Halicarnassus built?
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was built between 353 and 351 BCE as the grand tomb of Mausolus, the satrap of Caria, and his wife (and sister), Artemisia II.
Q3. How did the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus get destroyed?
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was likely destroyed by a series of earthquakes between the 11th and 15th centuries, leaving only its foundation intact.
Q4. Why was the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus a wonder?
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was considered a wonder due to its grand scale, intricate architectural design, and elaborate sculptures crafted by renowned Greek artists, making it one of the most impressive tombs of the ancient world.