PHAROS

PHAROS (near Alexandria), an island just over half a mile from *Alexandria, on which stood the lighthouse of Pharos, regarded as one of the wonders of the ancient world. According to the "Letter of Aristeas" (par. 301), the Septuagint was translated there, and there the Jewish community of Alexandria also assembled to hear the translation and accept it (ibid. par. 308–11). Philo stresses the excellent qualities of Pharos which were ideal for the needs of the translators – cleanliness, peace and tranquility, solitude, and closeness to nature. Philo also relates that a festive ceremony was held annually on the island in commemoration of the translation. Both Jews and non-Jews participated in the festivity where they gave thanks and prayed to God and then spent the whole day on the shore (Philo, ii Mos. 35–44).

bibliography:

Aristeae, ad Philocratem epistula, ed. by P. Wendland (1900), 301, 308–11; Schuerer, Gesch, 3 (1909⁴), 144, 428, 610.

[Uriel Rappaport]

Pharos Island off the coast of n Egypt, in the Mediterranean, connected to the mainland by a causeway built by Alexander the Great. in c.280 bc Ptolemy II completed a lighthouse that was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. According to writers of the time, it was c.135m (450ft) tall, and its light could be seen 65km (40mi) away. In 1346 an earthquake destroyed the lighthouse. Pharos is now part of the city of Alexandria.

pharos.
1. Antique lighthouse, such as that at the harbour of Alexandria.

2. Symbol for a lighthouse.

3. Any conspicuous beacon or light.

Pharos a lighthouse, often considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, erected by Ptolemy II (308–246 bc) in c.280 bc on the island of Pharos, off the coast of Alexandria. It was destroyed in 1375.

pharos lighthouse. XVI. Appellative use of L. Pharos — Gr. Pháros name of an island off Alexandria on which stood a famous lighthouse.