Scattered across the three old continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and encompassing sacred, funerary, and practical structures, the Seven Wonders represent a mesmerizing cross-section of, to Greek eyes, impressive monuments. Today, the concept of the Seven Wonders exerts its allure on the general public, as evidenced by the existence of numerous popular books and games dedicated to their exploration, and popular initiatives such as the New7Wonders. Meanwhile, the academic world has predominantly concentrated on individual buildings and artworks; studies addressing the Wonders as a collective entity are perhaps scarcer than one might anticipate.[1]
The book under review offers a fast-moving, impassioned, and richly illustrated exposé of the Seven Wonders from a specific angle: that of science, engineering, and technology. Science is here defined as “pure knowledge,” engineering as the “practical application of knowledge,” and technology as the “realization of engineering practice” (p. 6). This perspective is not entirely absent among existing treatments of the Wonders; after all, the question of “How did they build them?” is perhaps the most natural query about these awe-inspiring structures, even in antiquity itself: for example, Herodotus (2.124–125) was already interested in the engineering needed for the construction of the Giza Pyramids. In this book, the viewpoint of science, engineering, and technology takes center stage, with the primary goal being “to understand more about how ancient societies used the natural environment and how they were constrained by it” (p. 1).
Any examination of the Seven Wonders must involve a selection process, because the contemporary canonical list, encompassing the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Pharos of Alexandria, the Giza Pyramids, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, is a Renaissance-era construct, with Maarten van Heemskerck’s famous drawings possibly contributing to this canonization. In Antiquity, many different lists of Seven Wonders circulated. Dozens of other marvels appear in these lists, including buildings that are still extant today, such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, as well as disappeared or unidentified structures such as the Horned Altar at Delos and the Temple of Cyzicus. The current standard list of the Seven Wonders given above is still partially justifiable as many of the standard seven do appear relatively often in ancient lists; most are found in Antipater of Sidon’s epigram in the Anthologia Palatina (9.58) and in a partially surviving treatise entitled Περὶ τῶν ἑπτὰ θεαμάτων by a certain Philo. However, the city walls of Babylon were often included instead of the Hanging Gardens, and the Pharos of Alexandria was not considered a Wonder until the medieval period. The author of the book under review acknowledges this ancient variation, but does not aim to scrutinize it in detail, opting instead to use the modern list as the structural foundation of the book due to its contemporary appeal.
Despite the focus on science, the author gives basic historical and archaeological information on each of the Seven Wonders in dedicated chapters. The author maintains an open-minded perspective when discussing the locations of the two Wonders that are currently archaeologically uncertain: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which could have existed in reality in Nineveh rather than in Babylon, and the Colossus of Rhodes, with its three plausible sites within the city of Rhodes. Readers will quickly realize that the historical and archaeological discussions serve as a launchpad for a comprehensive appreciation of the Wonders in their broader regional contexts. These discussions are interspersed with digressions on geology, nature, materials (stone, metals, gems), building logistics, artistic techniques, and ancient measuring units. The organization of this information may appear somewhat unsystematic, especially as several discussions, such as on stone-working techniques, apply to more than one Wonder, but it makes for an engaging and easily digestible read. With its accessible and almost colloquial style, the book appears to target general audiences rather than scholars.
There is much to learn for everyone, particularly in the sections concerning the geology and materials involved in the creation of the Wonders, often overlooked in historical accounts. These discussions include local geology and the interplay with rivers such as the Nile, Euphrates, Tigris, Alpheios, and Küçük Menderes, illuminating how they both molded their surrounding landscapes to facilitate construction of the Wonders and, in certain cases, contributed to their eventual disappearance. The origins of materials used in the construction of the Wonders are also discussed, shedding light on their structural integrity and vulnerability to erosion from the natural elements. Furthermore, the book discusses the influence of seismic activity, including in various cases the potential impact of tsunamis, on the Wonders and their environments.
Although the book is an engaging read, it also contains a number of unexpected digressions, far-fetched associations and speculations. For example, a sweeping overview of ancient science and the history of Alexander the Great in the introduction are far removed from the Wonders themselves. In the chapter on the Giza Pyramids, the author seems to move very fast when speculating on the influence of the constellations on the construction of the pyramids and concluding that the difficulty of trimming basalt necessarily implies its “exceptional religious significance” in the pavement around the pyramids (p. 59). He expresses a special interest in “geomythology,” which explores myths and legends supposedly based on natural geological phenomena. The association of myth and geology may offer fascinating proposals, yet in most cases remains hypothetical or farfetched. For example, Zeus’ overthrowing of Kronos is explained as a “geomyth” for the erosion of Olympia’s Kronos hill, leading to colluvium in Zeus’ sanctuary: this would be Kronos’ revenge (p. 116); but there are no ancient sources available to support this view. The idea that the cult statue of Artemis had fallen from the sky is taken as an indication of meteorite veneration in Ephesus (p. 192), even if meteorites are not archaeologically known from the sanctuary. Some claims in the book are inaccurate, such as the assertion that Artemis was the most popular deity in the Graeco-Roman pantheon (p. 176), or that ancient cult statues were much like statues in Orthodox churches (p. 178), while Orthodox churches in reality do not feature such statues – perhaps Catholic churches were meant. The statement that Plataea is located near Corinth is also incorrect (p. 110) – perhaps Thebes was meant.
Following seven chapters dedicated to individual Wonders, there is a chapter on their potential rebuilding. Here, the author offers his ideas on how the Wonders could be recreated close to the original sites with an emphasis on durability. Examples of proposals include a new pyramid with regular blocks and a lightning protector, new hanging gardens with reinforced concrete and louvres, and a new Zeus created by a 3D printer. The author acknowledges, “I do not expect any of the Wonders to be rebuilt as I have described, but I have enjoyed speculating on how it could be done” (p. 298) and expresses the idea that durable Wonders can lead to durable societies. However, whether this joyful monologue belongs in an academic work can be debated. Strangely, there is no discussion of real-world, though hitherto unexecuted, initiatives to recreate the Colossus and the Mausoleum.
The book has an extensive bibliography, encompassing titles from various scientific disciplines as well as of textual and historical studies of the Wonders. The referencing style, frequently omitting page numbers or detailed references to passages in ancient works, reveals the author’s background in earth science rather than in the humanities. From a humanities perspective, this loose referencing, especially concerning substantial works, falls short of expectations. The author mentions many ancient sources, but displays little appreciation for the interplay between these texts and our modern understanding of the Wonders. For instance, the author suggests that the Giza Pyramids are so well preserved that “we do not need the ancient descriptions” (p. 16). Yet, these ancient descriptions, such as Herodotus’ account of the tombs, have guided modern exploration and still contribute significantly to our current understanding. Moreover, essential studies on the Wonders in the textual sources, such as those by Kai Brodersen, are omitted.[2]
The book deserves special praise for its many illustrations, including maps, paintings, photographs and the author’s reconstruction drawings. They underscore the text’s lively and accessible tone. They enlighten not only the Wonders themselves but also the discussions on local geology and materials.
In sum, the book offers an original discussion of the modern list of Seven Ancient Wonders, bringing science, engineering, and technology to the forefront. It invites readers to explore these Wonders and their broader regional and scientific contexts. While it embraces a degree of speculation and may not fully satisfy the stringent referencing and historical rigor of the humanities, it provides many interesting insights about the Seven Wonders, making them again accessible to a general audience.
Notes
[1] E.g., Peter A. Clayton & Martin J. Price (eds.), The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. London: Routledge, 1988; John Romer & Elizabeth Romer, The Seven Wonders of the World: A History of the Modern Imagination. London: Michael O’Mara Books Limited, 1995.
[2] E.g., Kai Brodersen, Reiseführer zu den Sieben Weltwundern. Philon von Byzanz und andere antike Texte. Frankfurt am Main & Leipzig: Insel Verlag, 1992; Kai Brodersen, Die sieben Weltwunder: legendäre Kunst- und Bauwerke der Antike. Munich: Beck, 1996.