MAUSOLE'UM, a sepulchral monument of large size, containing a chamber in which urns or coffins are deposited. The name is derived from the tomb erected at Halicar nassus to Mausolus, king of Carla, by his disconsolate widow, Artemesia, 353, n.c. It was one of the most magnificent monuments of the kind, and-was esteemed one of the seven wonders of the world. It was described by Pliny and other ancient writers, as late as the 12 c., and must have been overthrown, probably by an earthquake, during the following two centuries, for all trace of it had disappeared, except some marble steps, when the knights of St. John of Jerusalem, in 1404, took possession of the site of Hall carnassus, then occupied by a small village called Cleesy. While excavating among the ruins for building materials, the knights discovered a large chamber decorated with mar ble pilasters, and with richly inlaid panels. The sarcophagus of the founder was also. discovered in another grea,t hall.
Excavations have been recently made by Mr. Newton, assisted by the British govern ment, and lie has succeeded in bringing to light many of the beautiful sculptures of the mausoleum. Amongst others, the fragments of the statue of king Mausolus (now pieced together in the British museutn), and a portion of the quadriga which crowned the monu ment. Many fragments of lions, dogs, etc., and a beautiful sculpture of a horse, have
been found. Portions of friezes, of tine design and workmanship, the subjects of which invariably are Greeks in conflict with Amazons, have also been dug up.
The plan of the basement has been trac,ed) the area being 126 ft. by 100 ft. and from the fragments of columns. Ionic capitals, etc., which have been found, the description of Pliny has been verified. The mausoleum consisted of a" basetnent 65 ft. high, on which stood an Ionic colonnade 23i ft. high, surmounted by a pyramid, rising in steps to a similar height, and on the apex of which stood a colossal group, about 14 ft. in height, of Mausolus and his wife in the quadriga; these statues are supposed to be the work of the celebrated Scopas. The above dimensions are from 3fr. Newton's restoration, but they are disputed by Mr. Fergusson. and others. All agree that the total height of 140 ft, given by Pliny is probably accurate.