Lighthouse of Alexandria

A monumental lighthouse built on the island of Pharos in Alexandria, Egypt, during the third century BCE. It guided ships into the harbor and became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Pharos: An island off Alexandria that became connected to the mainland by the Heptastadion causeway. The lighthouse stood on this island, whose name became synonymous with lighthouses in several languages.
Ptolemy I Soter: A Macedonian general who founded the Ptolemaic dynasty and ruled Egypt from 305 to 282 BCE. Construction of the lighthouse began during his reign, according to ancient accounts.
Lighthouse: A tower or other structure that emits a signal to help ships navigate near coasts and harbors. The Pharos became the most famous ancient example of this navigational structure.
Pharos lighthouse: A generic name for a lighthouse, derived from the island of Pharos and its famous ancient tower. The Alexandria monument gave its island name a lasting association with lighthouses.
Alexandria: A city on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE. The lighthouse marked the harbor of the city it was built to serve.
Ptolemy II Philadelphus: The second Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt, whose reign lasted from 283 to 246 BCE. Ancient tradition associates the lighthouse’s completion with his rule.
Beacon: A visible signal, often a fire or light, used to communicate warnings or guide travelers. A beacon at the tower’s summit made the harbor approach visible at night.
Pharos of Alexandria in medieval sources: Descriptions and depictions of the ancient lighthouse preserved by medieval writers and travelers. These accounts shaped later understanding of a structure no longer standing.
Hellenistic architecture: The architectural traditions of the Greek-speaking kingdoms formed after Alexander the Great’s conquests. The lighthouse’s monumental scale and construction belong to this architectural world.
Sostratus of Cnidus: A Greek architect traditionally credited with designing the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Ancient sources and later accounts connect his name with the tower’s construction.

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