Podcast Title: Stuff For Kids
Episode Title: 7 Ancient Wonders
Teaching Resources & Lesson Plans (Coming Soon)
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[Intro Music Fades In]
Host (Sam):
Hey, awesome adventurers! Welcome back to Stuff For Kids, where we dive deep into all the coolest, most amazing stuff in history, science, and beyond! I'm Sam, and today, we’re going on a trip back in time to explore some of the most legendary places ever built by humans. That’s right—we’re talking about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!
Now before we dive in, I just wanted to quickly say that I am new at this whole podcast thing, and while I’m having lots of fun researching and sharing all this amazing information, I would also love to hear any feedback you have! If you’d like to make any comments or suggestions, or if you have a topic you would like to hear about, please send me an email at stuffforkidspodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and ideas!
These ancient wonders weren’t just big buildings or sculptures; they were places of awe and magic that people traveled from all over to see. Some still stand today, while others have vanished into history and legend. But every one of them has a story to tell. So grab your backpacks, put on your explorer hats, and let’s get ready to discover the incredible secrets of the ancient wonders of the world!
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### What Are the Seven Wonders of the World?
Sam:
So, what exactly are these Seven Wonders of the World? Well, a long, long time ago—about 2,000 years back—travelers made a list of the most jaw-dropping, mind-blowing places they had ever seen or heard about around the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. This list came to be known as The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Back then, these wonders were like the greatest tourist destinations of all time! Imagine going on vacation to see the biggest, tallest, and most beautiful places ever built. Only one of the ancient wonders is still standing, but each one left a lasting impression. These places inspired stories, legends, and dreams for thousands of years!
Ready to learn all about them? Let’s start with our first wonder!
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### 1. The Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt)
Sam:
Our first stop is Egypt, home to one of the oldest and most mysterious landmarks in the world—the Great Pyramid of Giza. This pyramid has been around for over 4,500 years, standing tall under the hot desert sun! And here’s something really cool—it’s the only wonder of the ancient world that’s still standing today.
The Great Pyramid was built as a tomb for a powerful pharaoh named Khufu, and it’s absolutely massive! Standing at 146 meters, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world for nearly 4,000 years. Imagine a building taller than 40 school buses stacked on top of each other!
But how did they build such a huge pyramid without cranes or bulldozers? Ancient Egyptian builders used their own strength, a lot of teamwork, and clever techniques. They cut and moved giant stones from quarries far away and carefully placed each stone to create this incredible structure.
[Legendary Tale]:
There’s a mysterious legend about the Great Pyramid! Some ancient texts say that a secret chamber lies deep within the pyramid, hidden from sight, and it holds the pharaoh’s treasures and maybe even a golden throne. Some explorers have tried to find this hidden chamber, but to this day, it remains a mystery!
[Interesting Fact]:
The Great Pyramid is made of around 2.3 million stone blocks, each one weighing as much as two elephants! And each block was perfectly cut to fit tightly together—no cement was used. Over time, scientists discovered that the pyramid was also aligned almost perfectly with the stars, especially with the constellation Orion. Ancient Egyptians believed Orion was connected to Osiris, the god of the afterlife.
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### 2. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Iraq)
Sam:
Next, we’re heading to Babylon, an ancient city that once stood in what is now Iraq. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the most magical wonders because… no one’s entirely sure they even existed! Legends say that the gardens were built by a powerful king, Nebuchadnezzar II, for his wife, Queen Amytis, who missed the green hills and valleys of her homeland. Imagine being so in love that you build a whole hanging garden just to make someone feel at home!
These gardens were said to be unlike anything ever seen. They didn’t just grow on the ground but were built on massive stone terraces, with plants, trees, and vines flowing down the sides like a waterfall. That’s why they were called “hanging” gardens. Some stories say that the gardens were watered by a secret system of buckets, pulleys, and gears that lifted water all the way from the Euphrates River!
[Legendary Tale]:
One story says that the gardens were so lush and beautiful that they shimmered in the sunlight like a jewel. Travelers from far-off lands wrote about the gardens as if they were a paradise, with flowers in every color and sweet fruits hanging from every branch. But, here’s the mystery—no one has ever found the remains of the gardens. Were they real, or just a story passed down through generations?
[Interesting Fact]:
Some historians think that the gardens may have been destroyed by earthquakes or flooding, which is why we can’t find them today. Others believe they might never have existed, but the stories about them have lived on for thousands of years.
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### 3. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia (Greece)
Sam:
Our next stop is Olympia, in ancient Greece, where people once traveled from all over to see the Statue of Zeus. This wasn’t just any statue—it was a massive sculpture of Zeus, the king of all Greek gods, who ruled over the sky and thunder. At 12 meters tall, the statue was as high as a four-story building!
Made of gold, ivory, and precious stones, the statue showed Zeus seated on a grand throne decorated with mythical creatures like sphinxes and griffins. In one hand, he held a figure of Nike, the goddess of victory, while in the other, he held a scepter topped with an eagle. People believed that as long as the statue stood, Zeus was watching over Olympia.
[Legendary Tale]:
It’s said that Phidias, the famous sculptor who created the statue, prayed to Zeus to give a sign that he was pleased with the statue. Right after he finished, a bolt of lightning struck nearby—so maybe Zeus really did like it!
[Interesting Fact]:
The statue was kept in a special temple, and it was so big that it nearly touched the ceiling. Some historians think the temple had an open roof so that Zeus’s head would be free to “look out” at the sky. Unfortunately, the statue was destroyed around the 5th century, but the stories of its beauty still inspire us today.
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### 4. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (Turkey)
Sam:
Next, let’s visit ancient Turkey, where the Temple of Artemis once stood in the city of Ephesus. Artemis was the Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and the moon, and people considered her temple one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
This temple wasn’t just a building—it was an enormous place of worship decorated with intricate carvings, statues, and gleaming marble columns. It was so big that it was over twice the size of a modern football field! People said it was one of the most stunning buildings ever built, and it attracted pilgrims from all around the ancient world.
[Legendary Tale]:
One story says that on the very night Alexander the Great was born, someone set the temple on fire. But why? Legends say that the goddess Artemis was too busy helping Alexander’s mother give birth to protect her own temple, which is why she couldn’t stop the flames.
[Interesting Fact]:
The temple was rebuilt multiple times after being destroyed by fire and floods. It was finally destroyed for good in 401 AD, but its foundations can still be seen today. Many of the treasures and sculptures from the temple were taken to museums and are still admired by people today.
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### 5. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Turkey)
Sam:
Let’s stay in Turkey for our next wonder, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. This was a giant tomb built for King Mausolus, a powerful leader, and his wife, Artemisia. Imagine a monument so grand and beautiful that people from all over the ancient world came just to see it. That’s exactly what happened here!
The Mausoleum was about 45 meters tall—that’s as tall as a modern 15-story building! It was made of shiny white marble and decorated with columns, sculptures, and even a massive statue of a chariot drawn by four horses on top. In fact, it was so impressive that today, any grand tomb or burial place is called a “mausoleum” because of King Mausolus.
[Legendary Tale]:
There’s a fascinating story about the Mausoleum. After King Mausolus passed away, Artemisia was so heartbroken that she decided to honor him with this massive monument. But that’s not all—according to legend, she loved him so much that she would mix his ashes into her drinks so he could be “a part of her” forever. It may sound strange, but for Artemisia, it was a way to keep him close.
[Interesting Fact]:
The Mausoleum was so well-built that it survived for centuries despite earthquakes. However, it was eventually destroyed by a massive earthquake, and many of the stones were later used to build a castle nearby. Today, some pieces of the Mausoleum can still be seen in museums.
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### 6. The Colossus of Rhodes (Greece)
Sam:
Our next wonder takes us to the Greek island of Rhodes. Here, standing at the entrance of the harbor, was the Colossus of Rhodes, a massive bronze statue of the sun god Helios. Imagine a statue so big that some say ships sailed between its legs as they entered the harbor! Though this image is more legend than fact, the statue itself was real and impressive.
The Colossus was about 33 meters tall, roughly the height of the Statue of Liberty from foot to crown! It was built to celebrate a victory after a long siege, and the people of Rhodes wanted to show the world that their city was strong and mighty. Built from bronze plates, the statue gleamed under the sun, making it an incredible sight for sailors and travelers.
[Legendary Tale]:
Legend has it that the Colossus was so heavy and powerful that it couldn’t be broken. When an earthquake struck the island, however, the statue broke at its knees and fell to the ground. People didn’t have the technology to rebuild it, so for over 800 years, the giant statue lay in pieces on the shore. Even in ruins, it remained a wonder of the ancient world.
[Interesting Fact]:
The statue’s bronze was later sold by invading forces, and people say that it took hundreds of camels to carry away all the pieces. Today, no one knows exactly where the statue stood, but some archaeologists believe they’ve found remnants of its massive base.
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### 7. The Lighthouse of Alexandria (Egypt)
Sam:
Our final wonder takes us to the coast of Egypt, to the ancient city of Alexandria. The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos of Alexandria, was a towering beacon that helped guide ships safely into the harbor. Built on the island of Pharos, it was the tallest structure in the world at the time, standing around 100 meters tall!
The lighthouse was built by the ancient Greek architect Sostratus to guide sailors. It had three main sections—a square base, an octagonal middle, and a circular top where the flame burned. At night, the light from the fire reflected off a massive mirror, making it visible for miles out to sea. During the day, the mirror would reflect the sun, guiding ships safely in the daylight.
[Legendary Tale]:
One story claims that the mirror was so powerful that it could set enemy ships on fire from a distance! This might be an exaggeration, but the mirror was certainly bright enough to be seen from far away, warning sailors of rocks and helping them reach Alexandria.
[Interesting Fact]:
The lighthouse survived several earthquakes but was finally destroyed in the 14th century. Many of its stones were later used to build a nearby fort, and some of the original blocks can still be seen in the fort’s walls today.
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### Honorable Mentions: Wonders of Today
Sam:
Wow, we’ve traveled all around the ancient world and seen some pretty amazing stuff in this episode. From pyramids and gardens to statues and lighthouses, the Seven Wonders were symbols of human creativity and power. And guess what? There are still wonders being built today!
In 2007, people around the world voted for the New Seven Wonders of the World. These include places like the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum in Rome, and even the grand statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. Each of these wonders has its own history, legends, and stories, much like the ancient ones.
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### Conclusion: Keep Wondering!
Sam:
So, there you have it—the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! These wonders weren’t just buildings; they were places of magic, mystery, and inspiration. Each one was made by people who dared to dream big and create something that could be admired forever.
Even though most of the ancient wonders are no longer standing, their stories have been passed down through generations. They remind us to explore, create, and leave our mark on the world. Who knows—maybe one day you’ll help build the next great wonder!
Don’t forget, if you have anything to suggest or share - I’d love to hear form you at stufforkidspodcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for coming along on this incredible journey with me. Don’t forget to subscribe to Stuff For Kids so you can join me for more amazing topics next time. Until then, keep exploring, keep asking questions, and never stop wondering about the world around you.
[Outro Music Fades In]
Sam:
Bye for now!
[Outro Music Ends]
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