The Pharos Lighthouse In Alexandria: Second Sun and Seventh Wonder of Antiquity

Review

by Arienne King
published on 17 March 2025

"The Pharos Lighthouse in Alexandria: Second Sun and Seventh Wonder of Antiquity" is a complete history of one of the most famous lighthouses in history. The book details the lighthouse’s creation, its historical significance, and its eventual destruction.

The book is divided into twelve chapters, each dealing with a different aspect of the Pharos, better known as the Lighthouse of Alexandria. It begins with the conception and construction of the lighthouse during the reign of Ptolemy I (366-282 BCE). The perilous coast surrounding Alexandria shipwrecked many vessels that attempted to navigate its reefs and shoals. This threatened the maritime trade that the Ptolemaic dynasty hoped to encourage, so plans were made to create a landmark that sailors could navigate by. Sostratus of Cnidus led the development of this landmark, which became the great lighthouse. Standing at around 120 meters tall, the Pharos and its flaming light was an awe-inspiring sight that symbolized the power and wealth of Ptolemaic Egypt.

The author reconstructs the form and function of the ancient Pharos, drawing from ancient and Medieval descriptions as well as recently uncovered archaeological evidence. Diagrams, charts, and tables help to illustrate these explanations of the lighthouse’s construction and function. These modern assessments are juxtaposed with ancient and Medieval artworks that depict the lighthouse, such as coins, mosaics, and drawings. The author has a background in science and engineering, which informs the book’s reconstruction of the lighthouse’s technical features. The reach of the Pharos’ light, the material used in its construction, and its dimensions are estimated based on the available data, although many long-standing questions can not be definitively answered.

In 795 CE, a massive earthquake rocked Alexandria and caused the lighthouse’s peak to crumble and fall. Subsequent earthquakes in the 10th century CE further cracked the lighthouse. Despite some attempts at restoration, the Pharos became increasingly damaged until the 15th century CE, when only the base remained. Numerous archaeological expeditions have searched the ocean surrounding Alexandria, and their findings are incorporated into the book.

In addition to the practical history of the lighthouse, the book also examines its impact on culture through its representations in both historically grounded and fantastical literature. From the time of its creation, the lighthouse has been cloaked in legend. In ancient times, it was described as a second Sun that illuminated the harbour. Today, it is one of the most iconic monuments of antiquity. The final three chapters deal with modern attempts to reconstruct the lighthouse. Chapter Ten presents the available evidence for the lighthouse’s form, while Chapter Eleven sets out the author’s future goal of creating a three-dimensional digital recreation of the lighthouse for research and educational purposes.

At the time of this review, the Pharos lighthouse is relatively understudied in comparison to other well-known monuments like the Great Pyramids of Giza. This volume helps to fill that gap and will be useful to students of the Hellenistic period. It is deeply researched, referencing a multitude of ancient and modern sources which are organized in the book’s bibliographies. A set of appendices at the end of the book concisely summarizes the basic timeline and facts relating to the lighthouse, as conveyed through historical sources.

The author Andrew Michael Chugg is a historian who has authored books on the Hellenistic period including The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great (2004). Chugg graduated with honours from Trinity College, University of Cambridge. He is an Executive Technical Expert in EMC & Radiation Physics at MBDA.

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