Description of the attraction
The end of the second millennium BC is notable for the fact that the Greeks, preoccupied with the search for a new living space, began to slowly occupy the territory of Asia Minor. This time also dates the appearance of the city of Halicarnassus, which was then renamed Bodrum.
In 546 BC. this territory was captured by the Persian king Cyrus II. The vast borders of the Persian state were structurally divided into small, in modern terminology, autonomous regions, which have their own rulers, subordinate to the Persian king. They were given complete freedom of action on the principle "Everything that is not prohibited is allowed." These areas were called "satrapy", and the king - governor - "satrap".
Satrapy, located in the southwest of Asia Minor, was named Kariya. Its capital - Milasa - was located northeast of Halicarnassus in the mountains. But the satrap Hektamon, who ruled here about 400g. BC., decided to move the capital to Halicarnassus. The reason for this was its convenient location. After the official transfer of the capital from Milas to Halicarnassus, Hektamon began a rapid construction, the purpose of which was to turn Halicarnassus into a royal residence. But in 377 BC. he died before he moved to the new capital. After his death, the throne of the satrap was taken by the son of Hektamon, Mavsol. He set to work with no less energy to continue the work started by his father. Then, among other things, he decided to build a mausoleum - a monumental tombstone, the name and majestic appearance of which would be an eternal reminder to descendants, both of his name and of his glorious deeds.
A passionate connoisseur of Greek culture and art, he announced the opening of a special competition in which Greek construction masters were invited. Almost all famous Greek architects took part in it, and Pytheas and Satyr became the winners.
The unusual construction of the mausoleum, which became the fifth wonder of the world, was decorated with friezes and bas-reliefs depicting mythical characters, and the best ancient traditions were embodied in marble figures. However, as in the case of his father, Mavsol was not destined to enjoy the fruit of his efforts: in 353 BC, when he died, the mausoleum was not yet finished. The construction of the building was continued by his wife Artemisia, but she also died soon, before reaching its end. And the architects who took part in its construction completed the construction of the mausoleum.
It is said to have been built to last. So, the tomb of Mavsol survived during the siege and capture of the city by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. He also emerged unharmed after other wars. But, "nothing lasts forever under the moon", and as a result of the earthquake that occurred in the XII century, most of the building was destroyed, after which it was dismantled to the ground, and in its place began to erect residential buildings.
In 1857, 12 houses were bought, after which English archaeologists from under the rubble were extracted the remains of what was once proudly called the Mausoleum. These findings are currently kept in the British Museum in London. Nowadays, only the foundation and the green stone that once covered the entrance have survived from the Mausoleum.
