Mausoleum at Halicarnassus - Tips by authority Howard Hillman

Museum
at Halicarnassus

seven wonders
insights you can trust

Why the
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Seven Wonder is special

The 4th century BC Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was not only imposing, it was ornately decorated (see picture) with columns and statues. The step-pyramid roof of this Seven Wonder was crowned with a large dramatic sculpture of four horses pulling a chariot carrying the King Mausolus and his Queen Artemisia.

The marble tomb was as high as a modern 14 story building and, from its strategic hillside location, overlooked Halicarnassus (now named Bodrum) and its bay.

Why the Mausoleum at
Halicarnassus was built

Queen Artemisia's role

She commissioned the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in 353 BC for her husband, King Mausolus. In tribute to him, Queen Artemisia spared little expense in hiring some of the best craftsmen and sculptors of her day.

King Mausolus

He was just an average provincial ruler of the vast Persian Empire 2300 years ago. His life would not have made him famous in history. His dead body did.

Queen Artemisia

She died two years after her husband (and brother) King Mausolus. She was buried along side him in the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.

The Seven Wonder tomb wasn't quite finished when Queen Artemisia died. The builders decided to finish the building project because, according to the Roman historian Pliny, the tomb was not just a memorial to the royal couple, but also to the sculptor's art.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus'
map location