The Lighthouse of Alexandria Near Alexandria, Egypt, stood an astonishing lighthouse. The lighthouse ensured a safe path back to the Great Harbor. What was so remarkable about this structure was its height. At that time it was the tallest structure in the world. The other wonder about this lighthouse was a mirror on the lighthouse that reflected 35 miles off shore. History tells us the city of Alexandria began when the Macedonian conquer, Alexander the Great, in 332 B.C. built 17 cities named Alexandria. The cities were spread over the Middle East. The only Alexandria city still existing is the one located in Egypt. Alexander the Great chose the placement of this city cautiously. He decided on a spot twenty miles west of the Nile Delta so that the mud from the Nile wouldn't interfere with the harbor. After Alexander the Great died, his commander Ptolemy Soter became ruler in Egypt. He made Alexandria the capital of Egypt. Then turned Pharaoh's Island into a harbor. Ptolemy Soter had a lighthouse created because of the terrible sailing conditions for sailors coming in to this area. The word Pharaoh was used so much in association with the word lighthouse that eventually "Pharaoh" became the root of the word "lighthouse". Ancient Wonders >> Natural Wonders >>