Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is a well known list of seven remarkable constructions of classical antiquity. It was based on guide books popular among Hellenic (Greek) tourists, and only includes works located near the Mediterranean Rim. Written by Philo of Byzantium in 225 BC, the traditional list was neither the first, nor the last of such lists. The original Greek category was not "Wonders" but theamata, which translates closer to "things to be seen". The number seven was chosen because Greeks believed it to be magical.