The lighthouse of Alexandria

Pliny the Elder says that the lighthouse of Portus was in some way an imitation of the Pharos of Alexandria, so we should have a brief look at that lighthouse. Various ancient authors provide brief descriptions, and it is depicted especially on coins. The accuracy of later descriptions by Arab travelers is questionable.

[The island Pharos] has upon it a tower that is admirably constructed of white stone with many stories and bears the same name as the island.​ This was an offering made by Sostratus of Cnidus, a friend of the kings, for the safety of mariners, as the inscription says:​ for since the coast was harbourless and low on either side, and also had reefs and shallows, those who were sailing from the open sea thither needed some lofty and conspicuous sign to enable them to direct their course aright to the entrance of the harbour.

Strabo, Geography XVII,6.

The lighthouse received its name from a small island on top of which it was built: Pharos (the meaning of the word is uncertain). It was built in the early third century BC, most likely by the architect or benefactor Sostratos, linked to the court of Ptolemaios I. It was added to the list of the Seven Wonders of the World in the sixth century. It was damaged and destroyed by earthquakes in the 10th and 14th century. In the 15th century a fortress was built on top of the remains.

The dedicatory inscription of huge lead letters mentioned "saviour gods for sailors". Some have suggested that these deities were Poseidon and Zeus Soter. A statue of the latter god, with sceptre and bolt of lightning, seems to have been on top of the tower. Others have suggested the Dioscures, or Ptolemaios I and his wife Berenike. There were statues of Tritons with trumpets on the first level. On coins the tower is depicted together with Isis Pharia. A colossal statue of the goddess was found in the sea. She may have had a temple on the island.

Isis and the lighthouse of Alexandria on a coin of Hadrian.

The lighthouse is generally thought to have been very high, but also relatively slender. The sides of the base may have measured 30 meters. The first storey was square, the second octagonal, the third cylindrical. The fire burned in the upper part of the third storey. Suggested heights for each storey are 72 - 35 - 15 and 60 - 30 - 15 meters. Together with a statue on top, the tower would therefore have been well over 100 meters high. According to Flavius Josephus it could be seen from a distance of 55 km. Late descriptions mention a mirror in the upper storey. Strabo says that the lighthouse was made of white stone, presumably limestone. Coins show the side with the main entrance, a high, rectangular door. Little dots must represent windows.

The lighthouse of Alexandria on a coin of Antoninus Pius.

Reconstruction drawing of the Pharos of Alexandria (Hermann Thiersch, 1909).