Mausoleum at Halicarnassus — The Long Summer

In the 4th century BCE, Halicarnassus was the capital of the small regional kingdom of Caria. Governor Mausolus married his sister Artemisia, and together they ruled over the surrounding territory for 24 years. The couple spent huge amounts of tax money embellishing the city and building their elaborate tomb. When they died within two years of each other, their ashes were placed in the as yet unfinished tomb, and their siblings continued the project.

The finished structure resembled a temple, and at 45 metres tall it dominated the view above the harbour in Bodrum. Four Greek sculptors were responsible for designing one side each of the building. But it is unique in that is was adored with statues of people and animals, rather than the gods of Ancient Greece. The Tomb of Mausolus became so famous that the word mausoleum is now the generic word for an above-ground tomb.