Lighthouse of Alexandria

Drawing made in 2006 from recent archaeological discoveries.

The Pharos (Lighthouse) of Alexandria (Ancient Greek: ὁ Φάρος τῆς Ἀλεξανδρείας), was a lighthouse built by the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt between 280 and 247 BC which was between 393 and 450 feet (120 and 137 meters) tall. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was one of the tallest man-made structures in the world for many centuries. Badly damaged by three earthquakes between AD 956 and 1323, it then became an abandoned ruin. It was the third longest surviving ancient wonder (after the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the extant Great Pyramid of Giza) until in 1480 the last of its remnant stones were used to build the Citadel of Qaitbay on the site. In 1994, French archaeologists discovered some remains of the lighthouse on the floor of Alexandria's Eastern Harbour. The Ministry of State of Antiquities has planned, as of late 2015, to turn submerged ruins of ancient Alexandria, including those of the Pharos, into an underwater museum.

Lighthouse of Alexandria in "Miss Manners' Guide to Greek Missology"

Andromeda went on a tour of Egypt after defeating the Gorgons in Italy. She admired the Lighthouse at Alexandria, and felt it would be impressive if it was ever built. But first, Alexandria itself would have to exist before that could happen.

Lighthouse of Alexandria in "Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire"

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was essential in protecting ships from running aground in Egypt's largest city. For that reason, it was a mystery to the rulers of the Byzantine Empire why it remained unrepaired even years after being toppled by an earthquake. Basil Argyros was told that the local builders' guild had deemed the work site unsafe, and had proclaimed a state of anakhoresis, refusing to work on the reconstruction. After much persuasion and bargaining, Argyros was able to secure an end to the anakhoresis and a plan under which rebuilding would restart.