far from the Turkish town of Bodrum is one of the seven wonders of the world - the mausoleum of Halicarnassus.It arose in this place by chance, because in ancient times there was the capital of the Persian satrap of Caria, known as Halicarnassus.
history
City Halicarnassus was founded by the Greeks in the 2nd millennium. BC.e.In the middle of the 1st millennium he was under the rule of the Persian empire.Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was built in the 4th century.BC.as a tomb for the Carian satrap Mausolus (377g.-353 BC. e.) and his wife Artemisia II.Due to this structure Maussollos started calling the mausoleum (Gr. Mausoleion).The construction of the tomb began during the lifetime of Mausolus, though the final construction, he did not live.According to legend, the construction of the mausoleum led Artemisia, who loved her husband and wanted to perpetuate his memory.Therefore, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is often called the monument of love.It attracts thousands of tourists.
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus struck the imagination of travelers for 1800 years, but in the 13th century it was destroyed by a strong earthquake.In the 15th century on the ruins of the mausoleum of the Crusaders built the Castle of St. Peter.For the construction of this building was used marble blocks of the former tomb.When the Crusaders were driven out, the castle became a Turkish fortress of Bodrum.By the 19th century the mausoleum remained the foundation and several sculptures.Castle of St. Peter in Bodrum is still, and the stones of the mausoleum can be seen in its structure.On the territory of the shrine can see the ruins and a small museum of the history of Halicarnassus.
Architecture
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus at the same time playing the role of the temple and tomb.Its architects were engaged in the construction of the Greek Satyr and Pytheas.No less important role played in the creation of the mausoleum known sculptors such as Scopas, Brikasid, Leochares and Timothy.
As for the architecture, in this building there was a mixture of styles.In addition, the tomb of Mausolus differed unusual shape and huge size.Area Halicarnassus mausoleum is 5000 m² and the height - 20 m. The base is a 5-tiered box which was lined with slabs of white marble.The building was decorated with sculptural frieze - marble reliefs depicting the battle between Greeks and Amazons.Length described frieze was equal to 117 m. Now some of tomb reliefs in the British Museum.
tomb was located in periptera, which was placed on the ground.It in turn was surrounded by a 39-th 11-meter columns.They serve as a support for the roof.The latter take the form of a stepped pyramid consisting of 24 steps.At the top of the roof of the architects is a marble quadriga.It is an ancient chariot drawn by four horses.It is a sculpture of Mausolus and Artemisia.Inside the tomb were placed marble sarcophagi of the royal couple.The perfect complement of the building served as the statues of riders and marble lions, located at the foot of the mausoleum.Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was not like all the tombs which existed before him, thus rightly considered a wonder of the world.
