How many years did the construction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria last?

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, sometimes called the Pharos of Alexandria was a lighthouse built by the Ptolemaic Kingdom, during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (280–247 BC), which has been estimated to be 100 metres (330 ft) in overall height. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, for many centuries it was one of the tallest man-made structures in the world.

The lighthouse was severely damaged by three earthquakes between AD 956 and 1323 and became an abandoned ruin. It was the third-longest surviving ancient wonder (after the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the extant Great Pyramid of Giza), surviving in part until 1480 when the last of its remnant stones were used to build the Citadel of Qaitbay on the site.

The lighthouse was constructed in the 3rd century BC. After Alexander the Great died, the first Ptolemy (Ptolemy I Soter) announced himself king in 305 BC and commissioned its construction shortly thereafter. The building was finished during the reign of his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, and took twelve years to complete at a total cost of 800 talents of silver.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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24 Comments

Rajnish Gautam

Near about 20 years . Answer given 12 years is completely wrong.

David Ching

Complaint lodged - 20 to 23 years is the accepted range.

Leapy Lee

Yet another incorrect answer. This website has deteriorated so much it is fast becoming a waste of my time

reydlt

The answer given is incorrect. The accepted time is around 20 years.

Marianne

This is a difficult question to answer. The sources are scarce and inaccurate. Even the name of the architect is in doubt. We know it was constructed in the 3rd century BC, and it was demolished sometime in the 14th century, when the region suffered major earthquakes. The construction started under the reign of Ptolemy I and finished under the reign of his son Ptolemy II. The most reliable data give a time between 15 and 20 years.

Marianne

May Tuan Tucker, PHD, The Lighthouse of Alexandria was definitely NOT the first one to be built. The Greeks used to build them at the entrance of certain ports. They were fired on fire all day and especially at night. One of the oldest is that of Phanari, from the 6th century BC. Of modest size (2m 54), it consists of a cylindrical tower of 3m 50 in diameter at the top of which were placed slabs of sandstone on which the appointed persons kept the fire alive. In Piraeus, the port of Athens, there are several vestiges of lighthouses, the oldest of which date from the 5th century BC. On the island of Thasos, in the Aegean Sea, there is also a lighthouse dating from the 6th century BC.