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The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

This great monument, which was considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was built for King Mausolos in the 4th century. When King Maosolos died in 353 BC, Artemisia, his sister and wife ruled three years. She especially made herself notable because of two major deeds she accomplished. The first one was the construction of Mausoleum, the monumental tomb with which she made her and her husband name immortal. For this amazing monument we rely on the information given by ancient writer, Plinius rather than ruins of the monument today. The monument had three major parts. First it had a podium. Above the solid podium, a colonnade of 24 columns; eleven columns on the flanks and 9 columns on the short sides surrounded a rectangular room. At the very top, a pyramid of 24 steps carried four horsed chariot with the figures of Mausoleum and Artemisia. This quadriga was designed by architect Pytheos who was also responsible for the construction of monumental tomb of king Mausolos. The height of the monument was 120 Ionic Feet, equal to 41 meters in modern calculations. Four Great sculptors of the time Leohares, Scopas, Timoteus and Bryaxis made carvings for the monument . Among these four sculptors, Bryacsis was a Carian artist.

According to some scholars, Mausolum at Halicarnasus offered the combination of tree major architectural styles and symbolized the supremacy of Carian Civilization over Lycians (represented by high podium used frequently by the Lycians), Ionic Greeks (temple like section represented Greek world) and Egyptians (pyramid like section of the mausolum represented Egytp)

This marvelous monumental tomb stood for 1500 years. According to 12th century eye witnesses, the monument was in excellent shape of preservation. When the Knights of John arrived to Bodrum, they found Mausoleum in ruins. It is suggested that it was ruined by one of the frequent earthquake of Anatolia. Looking for the construction stone and material for burning lime, the Knights of John they took all these nicely cut stones and blue granite o mausoleum in 1494. Ancient sources relate us that the Knights who did not touch the tomb chamber first time returned the site when they had to strengthen the walls of the castle to keep up with the new ballistic weapons. In 1581 they even reached to the tomb room. According to an account published by Claude Guichard, it was getting dark and night curfew was announced, the Knight had to leave the site. But when they returned the site, the found that the thieves had entered the tomb and stole most of its precious contents.

In 1846 Lord Stratford, British Ambassador to Ottoman Empire obtained permission to send 13 carvings of Mausoleum which the Knights had used to decorate the walls of castle. Eleven years later, British Charles Newton discovered the site of Mausoleum and the remains of tomb chamber, flight of steps leading to the tomb, two tons weighing door stone which blocked the entry to the tomb. He also found statues, carvings and architectural pieces. Two statues that he discovered are known as the statues of Mausolos and his sister wife Artemisia. Newton sent these pieces to England with the permission of the ruling Sultan.

The digs and modern study at the site of Mausoleum started in 1966 by a Danish Team under the directions of Christian Jeppesen. Plans and models prepared by the Danish Team help us to understand the former glory and importance the Mausolum. The monument was built on a peribolos measuring 242 by 105. This immense area, which was used for ceremonies and religious rites, is now covered with the modern structures.

Present Day Ruins

Visitors to the site are encountered by a great depression which marked the position of the Mausoleum. The stairs, niches and archaeological finds indicated the existence and earlier tomb, located on the south par of that depression. It is suggested that was the tomb of Artemisia I. The traces of niches and drainage channels are still visible. Main steps on the west site of the depression lead visitors to the tomb of King Mausolos. The huge green stone which blocked the entry to the tomb still can be seen on the site. The bones of various animals, discovered by the Danish team indicated the food offering to diseased.

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